Education & Qualifications
A Foundation Built on Excellence
A Judge's Journey
Path and Purpose
Every step prepared me for this moment. Every chapter taught me that families deserve more than legal decisions — they deserve fairness, dignity, and compassion.
- Barrett
Barrett Thomas's path to the bench hasn't been a straight line. He's worn many hats, such as law enforcement officer, prosecutor, family law attorney, and community leader. Each role gave him a different seat in the courtroom and a deeper understanding of how justice impacts real people.
Education
Doctor of Jurisprudence, December 2008
Texas Tech University School of Law, Lubbock, TX
Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, May 2004
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX
Research Emphasis: Criminal Justice Ethics Training and Retention
Police Academy, December 2004
McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy, Waco, TX
Bachelor of Behavioral Science, August 2001
Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, TX
Communications / Public Relations, Business Administration
Other Certifications
TCOLE Peace Officer Instructor Certification, December 2015
TCOLE Master Peace Officer Certification, June 2011
Licensed and Admitted to Practice by the United States Northern District, April 2011
Licensed and Admitted to Practice by the State Bar of Texas, May 2009
TCOLE Peace Officer Certification, 2004
Other Experiences, Honors, & Achievements
Jury Service Committee for the State Bar of Texas (2024-XX)
Member, Texas Bar College (2021-XX)
Selectee, SuperLawyers (2021-20XX)
Board of Directors, Advocacy Center for Crime Victims and Children (2021-23)
Member, Region 8 Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas (2018-23)
President, Hardin-Simmons University Alumni Association (2023)
Board of Directors, Texas Bar Foundation (2019-22)
Board of Directors, Hardin-Simmons University Alumni Association (2019-24)
Outstanding Young Alumni Award, Hardin-Simmons University (2019)
Leadership Waco Class XXXV (2018)
SuperLawyers Rising Star (2017-2019)
G.O.L.D. (Graduate of Last Decade) Award, Texas Tech Univ. School of Law (2017)
Induction Ceremony Speaker, State Bar of Texas (2016)
Keynote Speaker, Texas Tech University School of Law Hooding Ceremony (2015)
President, Texas Young Lawyers Association (2015-2016)
Executive Committee, State Bar of Texas (2014-2017)
Waco Chamber LEAD Mentor (2015-2016)
President-Elect, Texas Young Lawyer's Association (2014-2015)
Committee Member, SBoT Criminal Pattern Jury Instruction Committee (2014-2015)
Bob Black Bar Leaders Award, Texas Tech University School of Law (2014)
Outstanding Young Lawyer, Abilene Young Lawyer's Association (2014)
Treasurer, Texas Young Lawyer's Association (2013-2014)
President, West Texas Children's Advocacy Center (2013-2014)
President, Abilene Young Lawyers' Association (2012-13)
Vice-President, West Texas Children's Advocacy Center (2012-2013)
Board of Directors, West Texas Children's Advocacy Clinic (2011-2015)
Member, Nolan County Community Justice Council (2011-2015)
Member, Nolan County Bar Association (2011-2014)
President-Elect, Abilene Young Lawyers' Association (2011-2012)
District 15 Director, Texas Young Lawyers' Association (2011 – 2013)
Treasurer, Abilene Young Lawyers' Association (2010-2011)
Academic
Texas Tech University School of Law
• Rothwell B. Pool Scholarship
• R. Guy and Phillis Carter Endowed Scholarship
• Texas Tech School of Law Board of Barristers
• 1L Client Counseling Champion
• 1L Mock Trial Semi-Finalist
• 1L Negotiations Quarter-Finalist
• 1L Moot Court Octa-Finalist and Top 10 Oral Advocate
• Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top 3 Oral Advocate
• Advanced Negotiations Quarter-Finalist
• Advanced Mock Trial Top 10 Oral Advocate
• Advanced Client Counseling Semi-Finalist
• Spring Advanced Moot Court Semi-Finalist and Top Overall Oral Advocate
• Member, American Association for Justice National Trial Advocacy Team
• Member, William H. Daniel National Mock Trial Team
• President, Texas Tech Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association
• Freshman Representative, Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association
• Judge, Lubbock Municipal Teen Court
• Recruitment Chair and Teen Court Representative, Delta Theta Phi
• Member, Red Raider Bar Association
Hardin-Simmons University
• Brand Editorial Scholarship
• Vice-President of Media Relations, Hardin-Simmons – Students in Free Enterprise
• Freshman Class President, Hardin-Simmons University Student Council
McLennan Community College Police Academy
• Class Vice-President, McLennan Community College Law Enforcement Academy
Academic and Teaching Engagements
Heart of Texas Council of Governments Police Academy (Jan 2012 – 2019)
• Adjunct Instructor: Remaining Civil
• Adjunct Instructor: Advanced Report Writing
• Adjunct Instructor: Advanced Courtroom Demeanor
32nd Judicial District of Texas (Aug 2012 – May 2015)
• Instructor: Advanced Report Writing
• Instructor: Advanced Courtroom Demeanor
• Instructor: Remaining Civil: An Officer's Guide to Responding to Non-Criminal Calls for Service
Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice Annual Conference (Oct 2011)
• Paper Presentation: An Analysis of Local Law Enforcement of Federal Immigration Law
• Judge: Crime Scene Investigation Challenge
• Panel Chair: Law Enforcement Ethics Forum
West Central Texas Council of Governments Police Academy (Jun 2010 – Dec 2013)
• Adjunct Instructor: Report Writing
• Adjunct Instructor: Courtroom Demeanor
Tarleton State University (Spring 2003)
• Student Instructor: Race, Gender, and Ethnicity in Law Enforcement
Full-Time Employment History
01/2015 – Current
Lighthouse Legal Services (formerly Blanchard & Thomas), Waco, TX
Managing Attorney / Principal
01/2025 – Current
Lighthouse Legal Services Private Investigations, Waco, TX
Investigator / Owner
09/2011 – 05/2015
32nd Judicial District Attorney's Office, Sweetwater, TX
Assistant District Attorney
01/2010 – 01/2015
The Thomas Firm, Sweetwater, TX
Attorney / Owner (Part-time)
09/2009 – 02/2011
Anson Police Department, Anson, TX
Chief of Police (Part-Time Officer 09/2009 – 07/2010)
09/2009 – 09/2010
Taylor County Criminal District Attorney's Office, Abilene, TX
Assistant District Attorney
07/2006 – 12/2008
Texas Tech University School of Law
Full-Time Law Student
02/2005 – 04/2006
McGregor Police Department, McGregor, TX
Police Officer
12/2003 – 08/2004
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice - Hughes Unit, Gatesville, TX
Correctional Officer I – III
JOIN THE BEAR DEN
Want to be part of the mission?
Barrett is ready to serve the 170th District Court with impartial, considerate, and steadfast leadership.
His vision is to ensure every case is handled with fairness, compassion, and sound judicial temperament, using his training and experience to guide families through the complex dynamics of family law.