Thomas' Attorney Appeals Suspension

Former Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Herman Thomas is challenging the Alabama State Bar's decision to suspend his law license.

Thomas' attorney, "Cowboy" Bob Clark, faxed a petition to the organization's disciplinary commission requesting the dissolution of the order.

In the petition, Clark says "there are no times, dates or places alleged in the notice of suspension that would put Petitioner on notice of what the charges are that he is called to defend."

Clark also claims all of the alleged actions occurred at least five years ago.

The State Bar suspended Thomas' license Monday, three days after the former judge was arrested on 57 counts of kidnapping, sodomy, sexual abuse, extortion and ethics violations. Thomas, who was indicted last week by a Mobile County grand jury, is accused of receiving sexual favors from Mobile Metro jail inmates in exchange for leniency in court.

According to the two page order, evidence submitted to the organization "establishes probable cause to believe that Herman Young Thomas has engaged in improper sexual conduct with criminal defendants in violations of the law and the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct." But, Clark insists the affiant cited in the order does not have first hand knowledge of any of the incidents. "The only knowledge the affiant has is hearsay from convicted felons," Clark wrote in the petition.

Thomas is charged with 57 counts of kidnapping, sodomy, sexual abuse, extortion and ethics violations, but he could also face federal charges.

Thomas resigned from the bench in October 2007 when the allegations first surfaced. He was booked Friday in Mobile Metro jail, but quickly posted bond. His first court appearance has not been scheduled, according to the court clerk.

A hearing on the suspension of Thomas' law license will be scheduled within seven days.