Richard J. Thomas

Mr. Thomas received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from William Mitchell College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. He has been practicing law for more than 25 years, and is a founding partner of Burke & Thomas, PLLP.

Mr. Thomas was voted a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates in October, 2006. He was a 2003 President's Award Winner as selected by the Minnesota State Bar Association. In 2002, Minnesota Lawyer selected Mr. Thomas as one of twelve "Lawyers of the Year" and the Defense Research Institute awarded him the State Leadership Award. Mr. Thomas has been selected a "Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law and Politics for the years 1999-2007. The areas of selection have included alternative dispute resolution, litigation, personal injury and professional liability defense. He was also named a Top 40 selection in ADR in Minnesota in 2002. He received the Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association's 1991 President's Award.

Mr. Thomas is a frequent lecturer at continuing legal education seminars.

In his spare time, he enjoys listening to his extensive collection of blues guitar recordings.

Areas of Practice

Personal Injury/Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice Defense
Legal Malpractice Defense
Insurance Coverage Disputes
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Appellate Practice

Admissions

Minnesota State Courts
Federal District Court of Minnesota
Wisconsin State Courts
Federal District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin
Iowa State Courts
United States Tax Court
United States Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association: Member, Insurance for Members Committee; Member, Legislative Committee; Member, Assembly
Ramsey County Bar Association
Wisconsin Bar Association
Iowa Bar Association
American Board of Trial Advocates, Minnesota Chapter
Minnesota Defense Lawyers Association: Co-Chairman, Law Improvement Committee; Chairman, Justpac, 1990-2000; Treasurer, 1994-95; Secretary, 1995-96; Vice President, 1996-97; President, 1997-98
Defense Research Institute: Minnesota State Representative; Member, Small Law Firm Committee

Publications

"Plaintiff's Expert: Obtaining an Order to Compel His Deposition" Minnesota Defense.
"No-Fault Independent Medical Examinations: Purpose, Timing & Impact." 24 William Mitchell Law Review 1045 (1998).