Our Lawyers

Thomas was educated in Queensland and Victoria. He attended University High School in Parkville and graduated from Melbourne University Law School in 1980. His commercial experience prior to commencing legal practice included, in the mid sixties, working in advertising agencies over a two year period, and also during the sixties, playing keyboards, bass and guitar as a recording and performing artist in two successful bands (the records actually charted!), working in sales and marketing for a high fashion textile printing company in Melbourne’s Flinders Lane; in the early seventies, market research for the Irish Export Board and South African Trade Commission over a period of three and a half years; and a three year stint in the furniture and menswear buying offices of Myer Southern Stores Ltd, covering stores throughout Victoria and Tasmania.

In 1980 Thomas was employed by prominent Melbourne law firm Weigall and Crowther, now Deacons. He became a partner in 1986.Having been born in Cairns, he returned in 1988 and shortly afterwards commenced his own law firm. He later entered into partnership with Stephen O’Reilly (O’Reilly and Stevens Lawyers) which, in the new millennium, became O’Reilly Stevens Bovey Lawyers.

Thomas describes himself as a general practitioner, however, his major areas of practice are definitely in the commercial sphere with particular expertise in industrial and intellectual property law.

His clients include property developers, publishers, recording companies, writers and performing artists, advertising agencies, marketing consultants, adventure tourism companies and hotel operators.

He is chairman of directors of Choice Australia Management Limited, a not for profit company whose objectives include the provision of education and support for disadvantaged people.

Thomas’s extracurricular activities include cooking, gardening and golf.