Thomas M. Michel

Thomas M. Michel is a board-certified appellate attorney and partner at Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP in Fort Worth, Texas. As head of the firm’s appellate practice group, Thomas represents clients in complex appellate matters involving civil, probate, and family law. With over three decades of legal experience, he has argued and briefed high-stakes cases at every stage of the appellate process, from trial court error preservation to hearings before the United States Supreme Court.

Thomas earned his B.A., cum laude, from the University of Texas at Austin in 1986, and his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1989. He was board-certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in 1997.

Since being admitted to the Texas Bar in 1990, Thomas has established himself as a respected appellate litigator. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of Texas, and multiple U.S. District and Circuit Courts. His appellate experience includes arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court and all Texas courts of appeals, making him a go-to counsel for high-stakes matters.

Thomas has been recognized consistently for his legal excellence, including being named to Texas Super Lawyers (2005–2022), Fort Worth Magazine’s Top Attorney in Appellate Law (2005–2024), and 360 West Magazine’s Top Attorney list (2018–2024). He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest standards of legal ability and ethics.

In addition to his practice, Thomas M. Michel has contributed to the legal field as an adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan School of Law and a frequent speaker and author on appellate law topics. He is an active member and former chair within the Tarrant County Bar Association and a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. His experience, credibility, and deep knowledge of appellate procedure make him a trusted advocate at every level of the judiciary.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Griffith, Jay & Michel, LLP
• Former Chair, Tarrant County Bar Association, Appellate Section
• Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Member, State Bar of Texas, Appellate Section
• Member, Supreme Court of the United States of America
• Member, Supreme Court of Texas
• Member, U.S. District Court Eastern, Western, Northern District of Texas
• Member, U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit

Licensed State

• Texas

Education

• University of Texas School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Texas at Austin
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges