Juan R. Thomas, Of Counsel at Clifford Law Offices, was sworn in as President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents during its Annual Meeting held in conjunction with the American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting on Friday, July 31st. Atty. Thomas also became President of the Illinois Bar Foundation this past June. It is believed this is the first time a lawyer has held a dual presidency in the bar in the same year of two major legal organizations.
Atty. Thomas received his J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law, Champaign-Urbana. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and holds an MEd in Educational Policy Studies from the University of Illinois College of Education in Champaign-Urbana, an MA in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Preaching from the Chicago Theological Seminary. Atty. Thomas serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Law, where he teaches “The History of the African American Lawyer in the United States.”
Throughout his career, Atty. Thomas has received numerous honors for his leadership and service, including the ABA Spirit of Excellence Award and recognition as one of the National Black Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers. He currently serves on the ABA Board of Governors and served as the 75th President of the National Bar Association from 2017-18.
Juan Thomas is a lifelong resident of Aurora, where he serves as Minister of Social Justice at St. John AME in Aurora, IL.
Juan Thomas, Of Counsel at Clifford Law Offices, speaking at the 2026 American Bar Association Annual Meeting.
The gavel being passed to Juan Thomas (left) by outgoing NCBP President Patrick Palace (right), who is also a Past President of the Washington Bar Association.