Herman Thomas To Hire New Lawyer

Herman Thomas will have a new lawyer when he appeals the Alabama State Bar's decision to revoke his law license.

Attorney Bob Clark represented the former Circuit Court judge during his criminal trial and during the Bar's disciplinary hearing, but Clark tells News Five he will not be working on the appeal.

Thomas was found guilty last week of 17 rule violations. A five person panel determined Thomas paddled defendants in his courtroom, practiced law while his license was suspended and lied in an affidavit.

Thomas, who was cleared of sex abuse and 2nd degree assault charges during a criminal trial in October, announced in January he is running for Alabama Senate District 33. Thomas challenges incumbent Sen. Vivian Davis-Figures, the mother of one of the men prosecutors say Thomas abused.

Thomas' appeal will be filed in the Alabama Supreme Court.