Leo Thomas received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University in 1963 and his law degree, with honors, from the University of Florida in 1972. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Mr. Thomas was an agent in the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

He was listed in the publication “Best Lawyers in America” and had an AV rating in the Martindale-Hubbell law directory. He also was recognized as a Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the American Board of Criminal Lawyers.

He was the first criminal defense attorney in Florida to successfully pursue the battered woman syndrome defense in a homicide case, which eventually resulted in the dismissal of a first-degree murder charge against his client.

In 2000, a Florida Circuit Court Judge (who became a Florida Supreme Court Justice) had this to say about Leo Thomas: “Mr. Thomas is a highly experienced, capable and very seasoned criminal defense attorney who, for many years, has been routinely involved in the most high profile, contentious, and difficult criminal cases in the First Circuit. He tried one such high profile and a contentious case before this Court in 1997. That trial allowed this Court to personally observe Mr. Thomas’ ability and methodology. Mr. Thomas prepares well and is a masterful trial tactician. He knows the law.”