Linda Thomas
Linda Thomas (March 3, 1948) is the former Chief Justice of the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals. She joined this court in 1987 and became it's first female Chief Justice in 1995.[1] Her current term would have ended on December 31, 2012,[2] however, she stepped down on October 31, 2009. Her 30 years on the bench made her the longest serving judge in the state.[3]
Judge Thomas was identified with the Democratic party when she was first appointed to family court, but became a Republican in 1981.[3]
Education
Justice Thomas earned her law degree from Southern Methodist University, where she served as the associate director of SMU's legal clinic.[1]
Professional career
Upon graduating from law school Justice Thomas worked in a law firm until taking the bench in 1979 when she was appointed to preside over a newly created family court. She is also on the faculty at the National Judicial College.[1]
Judicial career
Thomas was appointed to a newly created family court in Texas in 1979, where she served until her election to the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, eventually taking the position of the court's first female chief justice in 1995. She was re-elected to the court seven times, running unopposed in five of those elections.[3]
Personal life
Outside the court Justice Thomas enjoys living with her Schnauzer, Phoebe, and traveling in her motor home, named Pearl. Justice Thomas is also a barbecue connoisseur and insists that the best BBQ in Texas is right in her kitchen.[1]
External links
Footnotes
