Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Dea Kelly Thomas, Jr. to serve on Tennessee’s Court of Criminal Appeals, Eastern Division.
Thomas, who now serves as a Circuit Court Judge for the state’s Fifth Judicial District, fills a vacancy created when his predecessor, Justice Gary Wade, was appointed to the state’s Supreme Court.
“Judge Thomas is an experienced legal professional who has proven himself in the courtroom and in private practice,” Bredesen said. “I’m confident he will serve the people of Tennessee with fairness, wisdom and professionalism, and I want to thank him for his dedication to our state.”
As Circuit Court Judge, Thomas took an active role in supporting East Tennessee’s drug court programs, which are designed to reduce the number of second offenses by helping rehabilitate drug dependent citizens and transition them into meaningful, socially responsible lifestyles.
Before being elected Circuit Court Judge in 1990, Thomas practiced law in Maryville. Thomas, 54, earned his law degree from The University of Tennessee in 1977 and is an East Tennessee native.
“I want to thank Governor Bredesen for this opportunity to serve my state,” Thomas said. “I am dedicated to upholding his and the public’s trust by supporting our state constitution and administering justice impartially.”
Thomas is president of the Boys and Girls Club’s Advisory Board in Blount County and also serves as director for the Blount County Food Pantry. He is president-elect of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and will assume that office in June 2007.