Bruce L. Thomas

Biography

Bruce joined the firm of counsel in 2000. He enjoys an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and emphasizes business law, commercial transactions, estate planning including wills, trusts and probate, and mediation in his practice. He represents privately held businesses assisting these companies to resolve the variety of legal problems that confront small business owners. He also actively advises his clients on long range plans for the future. He has also prepared numerous estate plans for individuals and their families, including those with substantial wealth transfers and estate tax reduction needs. He combines his business law experience with his estate planning knowledge to advise business owners on succession planning.

Bruce is also a mediator, successfully mediating a broad range of civil lawsuits including personal injury and wrongful death claims, employment disputes (involving sexual harassment, sex and age discrimination claims), insurance, probate, ERISA, contract, and UCC issues.

Bruce grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and went on to study law at the University of Denver. Following law school, he served as a law clerk to the Idaho Supreme Court. In 1976, he entered private practice in Boise, where he has practiced ever since.

Bruce is a co-founder of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Idaho State Bar, and served as the Section’s chair and as a member of its governing council. He is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Idaho State Bar (ADR, Business Law, and Tax and Probate Sections), and the Boise Estate Planning Council.

Bruce serves his community as president of the Idaho Ronald McDonald House, treasurer for the First Presbyterian Church, legal advisor to the Boise Presbytery (regional organization of Presbyterian churches in southwestern Idaho and eastern Oregon), and a member of the Planned Giving Committee for the College of Idaho.

Bruce and his wife, Victoria, have three children. They enjoy skiing, back-packing, camping and traveling.