He attended Stetson University College of Law in DeLand, Florida where he received his LL.B degree in 1915.

Two years later, he served as the City Attorney for both Vero Beach (1919–1923) and Fort Pierce (1919–1925).

In 1925, he became the 21st Circuit Court Judge for St. Lucie County, a position he held for ten years.

[1] Stetson University awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1951.

Justice Thomas was instrumental in creation of the Florida District Courts of Appeal, lobbying for their establishment in 1957.