Syracuse University, B.A., 1956
Syracuse University College of Law, LL.B., 1958

State of New York, 1958; United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, 1958

Judge Thomas joined Coughlin & Gerhart, L.L.P. in 2001 and is “Of Counsel” with the firm. He served as the Broome County Surrogate Judge from January 1, 1985 to January 1, 2001. During his judicial term he served by cross assignment to County Court, Family Court and Supreme Court throughout the Sixth Judicial District. Prior to being elected Surrogate Judge, Judge Thomas engaged in the general practice of law for 26 years in Corporations Municipal Law, concentrating in Estate Administration, Probate Law and Real Property Law. During that period of his career he was the former Broome County Counsel to the Federal Land Bank of Springfield, MA, counsel to the Binghamton General Hospital Foundation and various municipalities throughout Broome County. Judge Thomas' areas of practice include trust and estate administration and estate planning.

Judge Thomas is a member of the Broome County and New York State Bar Associations. He is a member of the Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association and a member of the National College of Probate Judges. Judge Thomas is also a member of the Surrogate's Association of the State of New York, serving in that organization on the Executive Committee from 1987 through 2000, and as President from May of 1993 through May of 1995. Judge Thomas has lectured extensively on the subject of Estate Administration, and co-authored Trusts and Estates Practice in New York, West Publishing Co., 1997.