Thompson, Nikol Gruning

CURRENT PRACTICE AREAS
Mr. Joseph A.L. Thomas works in the Maryland office of The Norman Law Firm PLLC, where his areas of concentration include general Business Law-such as the formation, sale and dissolution of businesses, in addition to business litigation; Bankruptcy and Reorganizations; Corporate Transactions; Securities Law; Non-profit Law; Tax Law; Trademark and Copyright Law; Traffic Violations; Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning; Probate; Immigration; Real Estate Law; and Workers' Compensation.

EDUCATION
In 2002 Mr. Thomas graduated from the Howard University School of Law and Graduate School of Business's joint degree program, where he earned joint J.D./M.B.A. degrees (with an M.B.A. Finance Concentration). In 1995 Mr. Thomas graduated Summa Cum Laude, with Highest Honors, from Alabama A&M University in Normal, Alabama where he obtained his Bachelor of Technical Studies (B.T.S.) degree in Accounting. In 1990, Mr. Thomas obtained his Associate degree in Accounting from J. F. Drake State Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, with Highest Honors.

PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
Prior to joining The Norman Law Firm PLLC, Mr. Thomas practiced Bankruptcy, Business, Corporate, Immigration, Non-profit, Tax law and Workers' Compensation, among other areas, at the Maryland office of the law firm of Patrick Henry LLP. Prior to joining Patrick Henry LLP, Mr. Thomas also was practiced within the prior mentioned areas, at the Washington, D.C. based law firm of Mondesir Norman & Turner PLLC; before joining Mondesir Norman & Turner PLLC, Mr. Thomas also practiced Tax Law, Estate Planning, and Business Litigation, among other areas, at the Maryland based law firms of DeCaro & Howell, P.C., and the Law Offices of Bruce A. Johnson, Jr., LLC. While attending graduate/professional schools, and after graduating, Mr. Thomas worked as an Auditor, first at the Washington, D.C. based accounting firm of Bert Smith & Co., CPAs; and, also at the Maryland based accounting firm of Bullard & Associates, CPA. During his graduate/professional studies, Mr. Thomas also served as a Graduate Assistant at the Howard University Small Business Development Center, and also interned at the Washington D.C. Office of Local Business Development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Mr. Thomas is a member of the Bar of the State of Maryland and is licensed to practice before the state and federal courts within the jurisdiction of Maryland, in addition to the Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission. Mr. Thomas is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court. Mr. Thomas is a member of the American Bar Association, the Montgomery County Bar Association, the Prince George's County Bar Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Mr. Thomas is an active member of his church's Religious Liberty Department, as well as other social and civic organizations.