About Thomas Smith
Thomas was born in Knoxville, Tennessee and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee. He attended the University of Tennessee College of Law where he graduated with a concentration in advocacy and dispute resolution in 2016. While in law school, he was a member of the Tennessee Law Review. Thomas’ passion for representing people developed in the College of Law’s Legal Clinic.
His work in the Legal Clinic earned him the University of Tennessee Legal Clinic Distinguished Clinic Student Award and the Jerry P. Black, Jr. Student Clinic Attorney Award. After graduation, Thomas worked in the Tennessee General Assembly’s Office of Legal Services during the 2017 session. After the session ended, he jumped at the opportunity to represent people and moved to Johnson City to work for Tony Seaton. He worked for Tony Seaton until the firm merged with Garza Law firm in 2022.
Thomas is a graduate of the Keenan Trial Institute. He proudly serves on the board of the Washington County Bar Association, and he served as president in 2024. He specializes in representing plaintiffs in vehicle accidents, premises liability and federal 1983 actions.
Thomas met his wife Anne Marie after moving to Johnson City. Anne Marie graciously tolerates his passion for cheering on the Vols. They have two children, Eloise and Davy.
Proven verdicts and settlements
Nathan Ling was handcuffed in the intake room of the Campbell County jail when officers beat him, breaking bones in his face and an arm, collapsing a lung and causing permanent brain damage. He was left on a concrete floor for about seven hours without treatment. A federal jury found the county liable for failing to train its jailers to intervene.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique and depends on its own facts.
