Jacqueline M. Thomas
PARTNER AND CHAIR OF THE PERSONAL INJURY AND MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LITIGATION GROUP
Jacqueline is a Partner in Lacy Katzen’s Litigation Group and Chair of the firm’s Personal Injury Litigation Department. A trial attorney for over 25 years, her practice is focused in personal injury civil litigation. This includes medical and hospital malpractice, surgical errors, birth injuries, nursing home negligence and abuse, motor vehicle, trucking and motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, construction site accidents and dog bite cases. She is also knowledgeable in the area of insurance coverage litigation and represents insurance policy holders in coverage dispute litigation against insurance companies. Acting as “excess counsel”, she has represented policy holders in cases where clients do not have adequate insurance coverage. Jacqueline is also Chair of the firm’s Risk Management Committee and has a detailed understanding of contingency planning issues.
PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS
- Member of the New York State Bar Association
- Member of the Monroe County Bar Association
- Member of the New York State Trial Lawyers’ Association
- Member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Member of the Greater Rochester Association of Women Attorneys
- Member of the National Association of Personal Injury Lawyers
- Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Trustee of the Aquinas Institute (1999-2024)
- Executive Committee of the Aquinas Institute (2018-2024)
- 2023 inductee into Aquinas Institute Hall of Fame for lifetime meritorious service.
- Founding member and past president of the Board of Trustees of the Justinian Order of St. Fisher College in Rochester, NY
- Trustee of New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers
Education
- Albany Law School of Union University (J.D., cum laude)
- St. John Fisher College (B.A.)
ADMISSIONS
- New York State Bar
- U.S. District Court, Western District of New York
HONORS
Jacqueline was recently recognized by Best Lawyers® as the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Law.
Only a single lawyer in each practice area and designated region is honored as the “Lawyer of the Year,” making this accolade particularly significant. The Lawyer of The Year is the lawyer who receives the highest number of votes during a peer review process involving other attorneys recognized as Best Lawyers in the same field and area.
Receiving this designation reflects the high level of respect a lawyer has earned among other leading lawyers in the same community for their abilities, professionalism and integrity. In addition to the “Lawyer of the Year” award, Jacqueline has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2018 for both Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Law and Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Litigation.
Jacqueline has been on “The Best Lawyers in America®” list since 2018. Additionally, she has also been recognized by Super Lawyers magazine since 2017 as amongst the top 5% of Upstate New York Lawyers for Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice and Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law. The Super Lawyers list is published by Thomson Reuters and is intended to recognize attorneys who have achieved a high level of peer recognition and professional achievement.
Jacqueline has also achieved a “BV Distinguished Attorney” rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has received a rating of “Superb” from AVVO. She is listed in the 2022 and 2023 NY Daily Record’s Power 20 for Litigation and also the Personal Injury Power 20 list and has been included in Who’s Who in American Law and Cambridge’s Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women, Honors Edition. She is a member of the Albany Law School Justinian Society and a past recipient of the West Publishing Award. She has achieved membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, a distinction reserved for attorneys who have achieved verdicts or settlements of at least a million dollars.
See the Super Lawyers website, the Best Lawyers website and the Avvo website for more details on rating and selection methodology. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Jacqueline is named in the following The Daily Record and Rochester Business Journal’s lists: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Power 20 Litigation, and 2023 Power 20 Personal Injury.
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“Professional and caring. She doesn’t forget about you. Honest about what can be expected and delivers above and beyond. Thankful for her commitment to our family. Would highly recommend Jacqueline and her team.”
– Satisfied Client
“Jacqueline Thomas and her team at Lacy Katzen did a wonderful job representing me as a client. Their staff cares to get to know you and your case and will work diligently as a team to accomplish the best outcome for you. I absolutely recommend them!”
– Pauline F.
“Jacqueline Thomas was able to help me after a traumatic dog bite experience. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone! She is personable, friendly and really gets involved to get to know you and your case. She explains and goes through legal documents with you so you fully understand your options. While managing my case, she was very patient with me, and straightforward which I appreciated immensely. She will diligently and efficaciously work for you! Again, I absolutely recommend her – you will not be disappointed!”
– Satisfied Client
“This review is for a particular attorney by the name of Jacqueline M. Thomas, Esq who is an attorney who works with Lacy Katzen’s firm. Let me first say I was not asked to do this and I never take the time to write reviews for any company or person. Ms. Thomas provided me with wonderful advice on a legal issue I have. She directed me in many ways on how to go about finding the right attorney for my legal issue. It is kinda unique and I had no idea how to go about finding someone. From the very beginning she had great communication with me and kept communication going with me throughout the day. I sent her paperwork which she reviewed, and then made a decision that she wasn’t the right fit for the type of attorney that I really needed. She took a lot of time out of her day to provide me lots of resources which I found to be excellent and exactly what I had been looking for. Most of the attorneys I had contacted either never called me back or I only spoke with a paralegal (no offense please) and I was not able to describe the specifics of the case correctly. Ms. Thomas would be my first pic for any attorney in Rochester if I ever needed counsel again. If you need an attorney who is generous with her time, very communicative, knows exactly what she is doing, and knowledgeable contact Ms. Thomas.”
– Brian
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.