Profile

Thomas is a trial attorney concentrating his practice on general business and commercial litigation. He has represented large insurance carriers, financial institutions, small businesses, non-profit organizations, professionals, and individuals.

Thomas has researched and advised clients on a variety of cybersecurity issues including an institution’s duty to disclose after the occurrence of a data security breach. He recently authored “Electronic Data Breach of Student Records - The University’s Obligation to Disclose.” Thomas counsels both private companies and government entities before and after data breaches occur to mitigate any potential liability.

  • Listed in:
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023
    • Florida Super Lawyers® 2017-2020, Florida Rising Star, Business Litigation
    • Naples Illustrated Top Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation, 2021
    • 40 Under 40, Gulfshore Business, September 2021
  • Collier County Bar Association, 2013 - present
  • Information Systems Security Association, 2016 - present
  • Thomas S. Biggs American Inn of Court, 2014 - present
  • HR Collier, 2015 - present
  • National Order of Barristers
  • Nader/Zrake Memorial Award for Excellence in Environmental and Administrative Law
  • Victor O. Wehle Trial Advocacy Award
  • William F. Blews Pro Bono Award
  • Book Award: Interviewing and Counseling
  • Book Award: Negotiation and Mediation
  • Stetson University College of Law Leadership Development Certificate

  • Panel Member, Open Community Meeting to Navigate Through Hurricane Ian’s Restoration Efforts, November 10, 2022 
  • Student Records, FERPA and Title IX, Hodges University, July 21, 2020
  • Privacy Compliance Training, Hodges University, June 22, 2020
  • Government in the Sunshine and Public Records, Collier Mosquito Control District, February 25, 2020
  • Sunshine Law Overview, Technical Advisory Committee Naples Airport Authority, January 30, 2020
  • Deposit Disputes and Pitfalls, Collier County Bar Association Real Estate Section, October 2019
  • Over-staying Their Welcome: How to Handle Overstay Hospital Patients, Naples Community Hospital, November 1-2, 2018
  • Public Records Pitfalls, City of Naples Airport Authority, July 31, 2018
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Hodges University Faculty Orientation, July 13, 2018
  • Panel Member, Organizational Privacy Summit, May 1-2, 2018
  • Data Breach Notification and Ethical Concerns, Lee County Legal Aid Society, Inc., Annual Technology Seminar, December 8, 2017
  • Panel Member: Smart Things and Personal Security, Cybersecurity and the Law, Hello SWFL, July 13, 2018
  • Data Breach Notification and Ethical Concerns, Paralegal Association of Florida, Inc., Southwest Chapter, March 26, 2017
  • Avoid Getting Bit by Staying in the Sun, The Public Official’s Roadmap for Complying with Florida’s Sunshine and Public Records Laws, Collier County Mosquito Control District, February 23, 2017
  • Panel Member: Cybersecurity 360: It’s more than technology - A different approach to prepare against cyber-attacks, The Florida SBDC of SW Florida, January 31, 2017
  • Avoiding Sunburn from the Shade - The Public Official’s Roadmap for Complying with Florida’s Sunshine and Public Records Laws, City of Naples Airport Authority Noise Compatibility Committee, January 26, 2017
  • Protecting Your Client’s Data: Responsibilities Before and After a Hack, Collier County Bar Association, Trust and Estate Section, October 6, 2016
  • Creating a Data Privacy Plan, Hodges University Data Privacy and Cyber Liability Seminar, September 21, 2016
  • Your Law Firm Has Been Hacked: Protecting Client Information and Your Duty to Disclose, Collier County Bar Association, September 25, 2015
  • Transparency in Government, Naples Airport Authority Noise Compatibility Committee, August 27, 2015
  • Florida’s Sunshine Law, Public Records Requests, and Ethics, City of Naples Airport Authority’s Noise Compatibility Committee and the Collier County Mosquito Control District
  • The Value of SIU in Investigating Claims, Allstate Insurance Company

  • “Concentrate and Ask Again - Donald Trump and the Ku Klux Klan Act," The Adverse Witness, March 4, 2021
  • Quoted in "How to Think Like a Hacker," Naples Daily News, September 21, 2016
  • "Confidential Data Breach - Escaping Potential Liability," Bond Information Memo, July 2016
  • "Health Care: HIPAA Covered Entities - Your Organization’s Liability after a Cyber-Attack," Bond Information Memo, December 2015
  • "E-Discovery and Information Management: Electronic Data Breach Of Student Records - The University’s Obligation To Disclose," Bond Information Memo, March 2015

  • Single A Commissioner, Greater Naples Little League
  • Past Board Member, CCBA Young Lawyer’s Division
  • Ex-officio Board Member, Literacy Volunteers of Collier County
  • Grants Commission, Trinity-By-The Cove, 2014-present
  • Lee County School District Advisory Committee, 2013-2014
  • Alternate Member, Fort Myers Nuisance Abatement Board, 2013-2014
  • Alumnus, Barney Masterson Inn of Court, 2012-2013
  • Stetson University College of Law Alternative Dispute Resolution Board Member, 2008-2010
  • Marine Industries Association of Collier County, 2015
  • Optimist Club Soccer Coach U4