About Thomas William
Thomas William Carey is a founding and senior partner at Carey Leisure & Neal, a prominent law firm located in Clearwater, Florida. Since 1978, he has dedicated his career to the practice of law, specializing in civil trial law. His expertise is recognized by his board certification in civil trial law from both the National Board of Trial Advocacy and The Florida Bar—an honor achieved by only a small percentage of attorneys in the state. This certification shows his commitment to excellence and proficiency in the legal field. Mr. Carey earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 1978, shortly before embarking on his legal career.
The following year, he furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University School of Law in 1979. His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, which he received from Georgetown University in 1972. This diverse educational background gave him a unique perspective that informs his legal practice. Throughout his career, Mr. Carey has achieved significant success in the courtroom, securing numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in various areas of law. His experience encompasses medical malpractice, auto and motorcycle accidents, sexual assault, and drunk driving cases.
He has tried complex cases across at least six counties in Florida, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Polk. His ability to handle the details of these cases has established him as a formidable presence in the legal community. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Carey has been deeply involved in organizations aimed at combating drunk driving. This commitment is personal; he lost his wife, Joni, to a drunk driver after only six months of marriage. In response to this tragedy, he served as the Pinellas County President of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) from 1984 to 1985 and took on the role of Florida State Chairman in 1986.
His ongoing involvement with MADD reflects his dedication to raising awareness and advocating for victims of drunk driving incidents. Furthermore, he co-founded the Tampa Bay Area chapter of Remove Intoxicated Drivers (RID), further solidifying his commitment to this cause. Mr. Carey is also a longstanding member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a prestigious group that recognizes attorneys who have achieved verdicts or settlements in excess of one million dollars. His experience in securing multi-million dollar verdicts in medical malpractice, auto and motorcycle crashes, sexual assault, and drunk driving cases has earned him a respected place in this forum. Additionally, he is a member of the American Association for Justice, where he is listed in their member directory, further connecting him with a network of legal professionals dedicated to justice and advocacy.
