James Burrows Thomas

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The Honourable Justice James Burrows Thomas AM QC (born 12 March 1935) was a judge on the Supreme Court of Queensland (1998 - 2002),^[1] which is the highest ranking court in the Australian State of Queensland.

1 Personal
2 Legal career
3 Other professional activities
4 Achievements
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Personal

James Burrows Thomas was born on 12 March 1935 to Joseph Thomas and Norma Thomas (nee Burrows). He went to school at Windsor State School (1940-1948), CEGS (1949-1952), and finally at the University of Queensland (1953-1958) where he obtained his BA and LLB. He married Joan Martin on 22 February 1963, has one daughter and three sons.

[edit] Legal career

Thomas was admitted to Queensland Bar 1958. He began his career in private practice in 1959, and continued until practicing until 1982 when he became a judge. He was the Director of Barristers' Chambers Ltd from 1967 to 1976. He was on the Barristers' Board from 1973 through 1982. He became a QC in 1976.

Thomas was appointed as a Puisne Judge on 18 February 1982 and served until 29 July 1998. On 30 July 1998 he was appointed to the Court of Appeal Division where he stayed until his retirement on 22 March 2002.

Thomas was a member of the Litigation Reform Commission from 1992 until 1997.

[edit] Other professional activities

President, National Union AUS 1956-1957
Member Council and Board of Governors International House 1955-1971
CMF Captain AALC 1965-1972
Council Chair of Queensland Conservatorium of Music 1982-1991
Lecturer in Legal Ethics, University of Queensland, 1983-1992
Member Faculty Board University of Queensland, 1975-1981

[edit] Achievements

Thomas was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994 for his services to music education and legal ethics.

Thomas wrote Judicial Ethics in Australia in 1988; a 2nd edition was published in 1997 by the Law Book Company.

Thomas also wrote Curious Connections - Master Musicians and the Law, a study on the historial links between two seemingly disconnected professions ^[2].