Juan R. Thomas - Chicago, IL
Attorney at Clifford Law Offices
Personal Injury Lawyers in Chicago, IL
120 North LaSalle Street 36th Floor Chicago, IL 60602
- Free Consultation
Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
Updated: 11/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Personal Injury
- Civil Litigation
- Estate Matters
Litigation: 33%
Attorney Information
Overview
Juan R. Thomas, Of Counsel to Clifford Law Offices, has been hailed as a national leader in the legal and civic community. Previously, he served as Founder and Principal Partner of The Thomas Law Group for nearly 25 years, representing clients throughout the state of Illinois in numerous civil litigation and estate matters.
Prior to entering private practice, Juan Thomas served as Labor Counsel to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, providing legal advice on labor, employment and collective bargaining issues for the Office’s 4,000 employees. Juan has practiced in small and large law firms where he gained broad knowledge and experience in labor and employment law affecting the private sector, state and local governments, as well as school districts. Over the years, he has also handled several personal injury matters.
He has been recognized by many organizations for his excellence in the law. Juan Thomas is among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers named by the National Black Lawyers, an honor given to those who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers. The Illinois Supreme Court appointed Juan in 2024 to the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission Review Board, the state agency that regulates and disciplines lawyers in the state.
He is also very active in the legal community. Juan is the current President of the Illinois Bar Foundation (IBF), a statewide organization that supports access to justice for all individuals and helps lawyers in need. Juan becomes only the second African American lawyer to ever serve as President of the IBF since its creation in 1951. Juan represented the Illinois State Bar Association in the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates from 2021-2023, becoming only the second African American lawyer to represent the Illinois State Bar in the ABA’s 148-year history. Juan was elected and currently serves as a member of the ABA Board of Governors. He served as Chair of the ABA Civil Rights & Social Justice Section in 2022-23, where he convened the first-ever Economic Justice Summit, bringing together policymakers, experts, and community leaders to develop policy solutions to address issues of economic inequality. As Chair, Juan launched and hosted a weekly podcast called “The Chair Chat,” where he interviewed leaders in numerous fields to address civil rights and social justice issues.
Juan served as the 75th President of the National Bar Association (NBA) from 2017-18. During his term as President, the NBA co-founded the National Commission for Voter Justice to address voter suppression across the country while advancing electoral reform and civic engagement. Under his Law & Technology Initiative, Juan was the first NBA President to lead the Association to Silicon Valley to promote more diversity and inclusion in the technology industry. Also, under his leadership, the NBA established its first LGBTQ+ Lawyers Division to further advance an inclusive environment for all members of its Association, regardless of sexual orientation or identity.
Juan’s dedication to developing lawyers for bar leadership and community service is also demonstrated by his election as president of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), a national association of lawyers-leaders whose mission is to provide high-quality programming and leadership development training for members of the legal community. It is believed that this dual presidency marks the first time a Chicago-area lawyer has held the presidency of two major legal organizations.
Juan Thomas’ involvement in civic and community activities is equally impressive. Currently, Juan is on the Board of Directors of the National Center for Access to Justice, Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Association, the Cook County Bar Association, Board Treasurer for Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC), and the General Counsel to the Morehouse College National Alumni Association. He is a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. It is clear that Juan Thomas has embraced a life-long commitment to community and public service.
Juan Thomas’ educational background is impressive as well. A graduate of Morehouse College, Juan also holds a MEd in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois College of Education in Champaign-Urbana, a MA in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, a program that aims to prepare students for careers in urban educational research and policy analysis, as well as for leadership roles in urban schools. Juan Thomas also holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Preaching from the Chicago Theological Seminary. Juan also serves as an adjunct professor at U of I College of Law where he teaches “The History of the African American Lawyer in the United States”
Juan has demonstrated his leadership and his commitment to doing what is right when he successfully defended a Naperville high school student for an alleged theft of a pair of AirPods. Not only did he successfully defend the student in 2023, but this case brought attention to how Illinois school districts wrongfully placed high school students in the criminal justice system instead of resolving minor disciplinary issues internally in the school district. As a result, in 2025, the State of Illinois passed legislation prohibiting local school districts from ticketing high school students for minor infractions. While in law school, Juan successfully ran for his hometown school board, commuting 120 miles each way every weekend during his campaign. At the age of 25, Juan became the youngest person ever elected to the West Aurora School Board where he served as the Chairman of the school board’s Personnel Committee. In 2005, he was elected Aurora Township Clerk becoming the first African American to win a township-wide office in Aurora, the second largest city in the state of Illinois.
He has previously served on the Board of Directors of Mutual Ground Inc., an organization committed to providing support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their families in west suburban Chicago, the A+ Foundation for the West Aurora School District #129, the Community Renewal Society, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the University of Illinois College of Education Board of Visitors, and the University of Illinois College of Law Alumni Association. Juan Thomas also previously served as the General Counsel and Board member for 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc., 1st Vice President of the DuPage County Branch of the NAACP, Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the American Constitution Society (Chicago Chapter), and Chairman of the Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce.
Juan Thomas has been recognized by several organizations for his extraordinary efforts and achievements both in the legal community and throughout the Chicago area. He was awarded the 2024 Honorary Law Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University College of Law, an award bestowed to individuals who are not graduates of the NIU College of Law but who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the college and the communities it serves. He also received the American Bar Association’s 2024 Spirit of Excellence Award for his commitment to promoting a more racially and ethnically diverse legal profession. In 2023, he was selected by the Chicago Defender as a Men of Excellence Honoree.
In addition to his professional, legal, and civic involvement, Juan Thomas and his wife, Angela, are proud members of Cathedral of Grace, St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Aurora, where he serves as the Minister for Social Justice.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Named to the 2026 Crain’s Chicago Business Notable Leader in Accounting, Consulting and Law
- Cook County Bar Association, Presidential Award (2026)
- National Bar Association, Gertrude R. Rush Award, (2025)
- University of Illinois College of Law: Black Law Students Association, James Jordan Seaberry Award (2025)
- Northern Illinois University College of Law, Honorary Alumni of the Year Award (2024)
- Illinois State Bar Association, Presidential Commendation Award (2024)
- American Bar Association, Spirit of Excellence Award Recipient (2024)
- Chicago Defender, Men of Excellence Honoree (2023)
- American Constitution Society, Lawyer of the Month (June 2020)
- Katie Holmes Educational Foundation, Public Service Award for Leadership & Service in the Legal Community (2018)
- Cook County Bar Association, J. Ernest Wilkins Award (2018)
- The National Black Lawyers: Top 100 (2015)
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Mu Xi Chapter, Citizen of the Year (2011, 2015)
- NAACP, DuPage County Branch, President’s Award (2013, 2014)
- NAACP, DuPage County Branch, Claude Audley Award of Leadership Excellence (2014)
- National Bar Association, Presidential Service Award (2005, 2007, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2024)
- Who’s Who, Black Chicago (2006, 2007)
- American Bar Association Solo & Small Firm Section, Solo Practitioner of Merit Award (2005)
- National Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Outstanding Division of the Year
- (Chair Year, 2004)
- Fellow, Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute (2004)
- Fellow, Leadership Greater Chicago (2002)
- Ebony Magazine, 30 Under 30 Leaders to Watch (2001)
- Chicago Sun-Times, Future Leader to Watch in the 21st Century (1999)
- Awarded the 2024 Honorary Law Alumni Award from Northern Illinois University College of Law
Education
Legal Education
-
University of Illinois College of Law, Illinois
Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Vice President, Student Bar Association, 1995-96
Non Legal Education
-
Chicago Theological Seminary, 2024
Doctor of Ministry in Preaching -
University of Chicago, Divinity School, 2020
M.A., Master of Arts
Major: Religious Studies -
University of Illinois, College of Education, Champaign-Urbana, 1996
MS
Major: Educational Policy -
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, 1992
B.A., Bachelor of Arts
Major: Political Science
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Of Counsel
Past Positions
- The Thomas Law Group, Founder and Principal Partner
Pro Bono Activities
- West Aurora Board of Education District #129, Chairman, Personnel Committee, 1995 - 2000
- Township Clerk, Aurora Township (2005-2009; 2020-21)
- General Counsel, Morehouse College National Alumni Association (2018-Present)
- Board of Directors, Treatment Alternatives Safe Communities, TASC (2023-Present)
- Board of Directors, Treatment Alternatives Safe Communities, TASC, Treasurer, (2024-Present)
- Board of Directors, Leadership Greater Chicago Fellows Board (2017-Present)
- Board of Directors, National Center for Access to Justice (Present)
- Board of Directors, 100 Black Men of Chicago, Inc. (2018-2024)
- Board of Directors, West Aurora A + Foundation (2016-2024)
- Board of Directors, Mutual Ground Inc., (2013-19) (Shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault)
- Chair, ACT-SO Standing Committee, NAACP, Illinois Conference (2013-15)
- 1st Vice President, NAACP DuPage County Branch (2014-15; 2017-19)
- Chairman, Board of Directors, Quad County African American Chamber of Commerce (2006-08)
- Chairman, City of Aurora, African American Heritage Advisory Board (2007-08)
- Board of Visitors, University of Illinois College of Education (2005-12)
- Board of Directors, University of Illinois College of Law Alumni Association (1999-05)
- Board of Directors, Fox Valley Girl Scouts (2006-2009)
- President, Morehouse College Alumni Association, Chicago Chapter (2000-2001)
Bar Admissions
- Illinois, 1996
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1996
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois Trial Bar
Other Affiliations
- ACLU of Illinois, Board of Directors, 2026
- American Counsel Association, Member, 2026
- Illinois Supreme Court Appointment, Member, Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission Review Board, 2025
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Member, Board of Governors, Goal III Representative (2024-Present)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Immediate Past Chair, Civil Rights & Social Justice Section, 2023 - 2024
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Chair, Civil Rights & Social Justice Section (2022-23)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Chair-Elect, Civil Rights & Social Justice Section (2021-22)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Vice Chair, Civil Rights & Social Justice Section (2020-21)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Secretary, Civil Rights & Social Justice Section (2019-20)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Chair Representative, Section Officers Conference Executive Committee (2022-23)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Secretary Representative, Section Officers Conference Executive Committee (2019-20)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Council Member, State & Local Government Section (2018-21)
- American Bar Association, Leadership, Member, Editorial Board, ABA Human Rights Magazine (2017-2023)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Board of Governors, Membership Committee (2024-25)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Nominating Committee (2023-24)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Africa Law Committee (2023-24)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service , Advisory Commission to the American Democracy Task Force (2023-Present)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Commission on Governance (2023-Present)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Meeting & Program Planning Committee (2021-23)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, International Policy Coordinating Group (2021-22)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Section Officers Conference Award Committee (2022)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, ABA Day Planning Committee (2020 & 2021)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Business Bar Coordination Committee, Business Law Section (2022-24)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service , ABA Presidential Appointments Committee on behalf of ABA President-Elect, Mary Smith (2022-23)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee, Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Division (2013-14)
- American Bar Association, Committee Service, Family Law Committee, Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Division (2013-14)
- American Bar Association House of Delegates, 2021 - Present
- American Bar Association House of Delegates, Committee on Issues of Legal Concerns (2022-24)
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2011 - Present
- American Law Institute (ALI)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, President-Elect (Present, in succession to become President, 2026-27 bar year.)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Treasurer (2024-25)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Secretary (2023-24)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Executive Council (2020-2023)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Chair, Non-Dues Revenue Committee (2022-23)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (2021-22)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Member, Finance & Investment Committee (2021-22)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Member, 21st Century Lawyer Committee (2017-18)
- National Conference of Bar Presidents, Diversity Fellow (2017-18)
- National Bar Association, 75th President (2017-18)
- National Bar Association, President-Elect (2016-17)
- National Bar Association, Vice President (2015-16)
- National Bar Association, Secretary (2009-15)
- National Bar Association, Board Member-At-Large (2005-09)
- Illinois State Bar Association, Tort Law Section Council (2025-26)
- Illinois Bar Foundation, President (2026-27)
- Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA)
- American Constitution Society, Co-Chair, Board of Directors, Chicago Lawyers Chapter (2020-23)
- Cook County Bar Association, Board of Directors (2017-21; 2022-Present)
- National Center for Access to Justice-Fordham Law School, Board of Directors (Present)
Photo
Contact
120 North LaSalle Street
36th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Phone Number: 312-815-7022
Email: Send a message
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