Brief Description: The collection contains information on Judge L. E. Thomas, the first Black Municipal Judge in the south since reconstruction, community activist, and pioneer, from 1950 to 2005, assembled by the Black Archives between 1995 and 2002. The collection documents Thomas's political career and participation in community organizations in Miami Dade County. It contains correspondence, newsletters, newspaper article clippings, a law review booklet, obituary, a photograph, pictorial roster, and a program.

Record Series Number: 01/BAF MS_00150

Created by: Thomas, L. E. (28 January 1898-14 September 1989)

Volume: 1.0 Folders

Biographical Note for Thomas, L. E. (28 January 1898-14 September 1989) :

Judge Lawson Edwarde Thomas (28 January 1898- 14 September 1989) was born in Ocala, Florida, the son of Robert James and Hattie (Butler) Thomas. Thomas received a B.S from Florida A&M College in 1919, and an LL.B from the University of Michigan in 1923.

            Thomas was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1926. He practiced in Detroit at Mc Gill & Mc Gill, from 1926-1928. He then began to practice in Jacksonville, Florida from 1929-1934. Thomas took the Florida bar in 1933.

            Beginning in 1935, he began practicing law in Miami Florida. In 1940, he married Eugenia Brook, (who was known as a community pioneer), with whom he had two daughters. Thomas was Municipal Judge for the City of Miami from  1950-1955. Judge Thomas Terminated his Judgeship on November 24, 1955. He then opened his own law firm from 1956-1957, located at 1035 Northwest 2nd Avenue.

          L. E. Thomas died on September 14, 1989. In 2002 a courthouse center was built at 175 Northwest  First avenue in honor of Judge L. E. Thomas. While alive Judge L.E. Thomas was honored by several organizations, such as: the Greater Miami Urban League, American Judicature Society, National Bar Association, Omega Psi Phi, and Trustee of Bethel A.M.E Church. He was also a member of the following clubs: Y.M.C.A, President of Citizens Service League, and King of Clubs.

Access Restrictions: There are no access restrictions on this material.

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Rights/Use Restrictions: Finding Aid (c) 2011 The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc, All Rights Reserved. Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the Director of The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc. An image license agreement must be signed prior to recording or copying images.

Related Materials: Eugenia B. Thomas papers