Our Attorneys

Raymond L. Thomas 
McAllen, Texas
Partner
phone (956) 686-8797
fax (956) 630-5199
email Email Me

Ray Thomas is a board certified civil trial lawyer and name partner with the McAllen law firm of Kittleman, Thomas & Gonzales, LLP, an AV-rated, 17 lawyer South Texas law firm. An Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates, Thomas has successfully managed a broad range of complex civil cases on both sides of the docket with more than $1 billion at stake. Thomas has won several multi-million jury verdicts and settlements, including two cases listed in the Top 100 Verdicts in 2005 and 2006 as reported by The National Law Journal.

Designated by his peers multiple years as a Texas Super Lawyer, as published in Texas Monthly, Thomas has been an invited speaker and panelist for audiences in the United States, Mexico and Central America, though the engagement he is most proud of is having been asked to give the commencement address to the graduating seniors of his hometown community. Thomas has appeared in national and international media, such as ABC Nightly News, U.S. News & World Report, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Dallas Morning News, La Reforma, The Texas Lawyer and the ABA Journal, on topics ranging from specific cases to issues facing the legal profession.

A recognized authority on cross-border litigation, Thomas was appointed as honorary counsel to the Mexican Consulate in McAllen by the government of Mexico, a position he continues to serve. In 2004, Thomas received special recognition by the Governor of Zacatecas, Mexico, for his legal work on behalf of migrant families.

Thomas has served his profession as a Director of the State Bar of Texas, President of the Texas Young Lawyers Association, Commissioner of the Texas Access to Justice Commission, as well as numerous other bar related positions. Appointed by the Texas Supreme Court, Thomas served several years on the Grievance Oversight Committee.

Thomas serves his community through various civic organizations, including on the Board of Governors for the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen. He is a former President of the Club and the Chair of a Capital Campaign which successfully raised more than $5 million to build a new, state-of-the-art club house for underprivileged youth. Thomas also volunteers as a youth minister for detainees at the Texas Youth Commission - Evins Unit and his Church.

Married more than 20 years and an active father of two, Thomas is the attorney coach for the McAllen High School Mock Trial Team with his daughter having won Best Advocate in most rounds. Thomas is finishing his third year of study as a candidate to become a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. He is an active partner in GOSPA Records, a Catholic recording studio, record label and music publisher dedicated to helping young artists spread the Gospel through inspiring music, video and television programming.

 

Areas of Practice:
Civil Litigation
Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certification/Specialties:
Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization


Bar Admissions:
Texas, 1988
U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1989
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1989
Education:
The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas, 1988
J.D.


St. Mary's University, 1985
B.A.
Honors: With Honors


Published Works:
"Suing and Defending Governmental Entities", 1995


"Class Actions-A Practical Guide for Practitioners and Trial Courts,", 2001


"Defending Tort Claims Against Water Districts,", 1994


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Speaker, "Suing and Defending Governmental Entities", 1995


Speaker, "Class Actions-A Practical Guide for Practitioners and Trial Courts", 2001


Speaker, "Defending Tort Claims Against Water Districts", 1994


Honors and Awards:
Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation


Texas Super Lawyer, 2006


Professional Associations and Memberships:
National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 1991


Hidalgo County Bar Association, 1996 - 1998
Treasurer


Hidalgo County Bar Association, 1994 - 1996
Director


State Bar of Texas, 1998 - 2001
Director


State Bar of Texas, 1998 - 2001
Member, Executive Committee


State Bar of Texas, 1998 - 2001
Member, Budget Committee


Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1999 - 2000
President


Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1998 - 1999
President-Elect


Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1997 - 1998
Vice President


Texas Young Lawyers Association, 1995 - 1997
Director


The Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Member


The Pro Bono College of the State Bar of Texas
Member


Languages:
Spanish

Se habla español.

We are a civil law firm located in McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas, primarily serving the Rio Grande Valley and all of South Texas, including the communities of McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, San Juan, Alamo, Weslaco, Donna, Hidalgo, Mercedes, Mission, Brownsville, San Benito, Harlingen, South Padre Island, Rio Grande City, Roma, Zapata, Laredo, Raymondville, Cotulla, San Diego, Falfurrias, Hebbronville, Robstown, and Corpus Christi and the following counties: Hidalgo County, Cameron County, Willacy County, Starr County, Zapata County, Webb County, LaSalle County, Jim Hogg County, Brooks County, Duval County, Kenedy County, and Nueces County, Texas.


Friday, September 3, 2010

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