About Carl Barrett
Carl Barrett Thomas earned his J.D. from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2008 after completing graduate work in criminal justice at Tarleton State University and an undergraduate degree in communications and business administration at Hardin‑Simmons University. His academic record ties together legal study and public safety training. The sequence of degrees points to an early interest in criminal justice and public service.
Thomas began his legal career in the Taylor County District Attorney's Office where he served as an Assistant District Attorney in 2009. He moved into a mixture of law enforcement and legal roles the following year, serving as Chief of Police in Anson while also working as a lawyer at The Thomas Firm and teaching as an adjunct instructor for the West Central Texas Council of Governments. In 2011 he joined the 32nd Judicial District Attorney's Office and advanced to First Assistant District Attorney. In 2015 he became a partner at Blanchard & Thomas, PLLC, a role he continues to hold.
His professional qualifications extend beyond the courtroom. He holds Master Peace Officer and Law Enforcement Instructor certifications from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Those credentials reflect years spent on the enforcement side of public safety and in training other officers. They have informed his approach to evidence handling, witness preparation and interactions with law enforcement agencies.
Thomas has been active in bar and civic organizations across west and central Texas. He served multiple terms in leadership at the Texas Young Lawyers Association, including District 15 Director from 2011 to 2015, Executive Committee Treasurer in 2013–2014, President‑Elect in 2014–2015, President in 2015–2016, and Immediate‑Past President in 2016–2017. Locally he led the Abilene Young Lawyers Association as President in 2013–2014 after serving as President‑Elect. He was a board member of the West Texas Children’s Advocacy Center from 2012 to 2015 and its president in 2013–2014, and he served on the Nolan County Community Justice Council during the same period. He has also held memberships in the Nolan County Bar Association and the Texas District and County Attorneys Association.
As a partner at Blanchard & Thomas, PLLC since 2015, Thomas divides his time between offices that serve central Texas counties including McLennan, Waco and Hill, Bell County and a North Texas office covering Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin and Ellis counties. His current practice focuses on regional matters across central and north Texas.
