Aubrey L. Thomas has been selected as the next bankruptcy judge for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio division, according to a March 18 announcement. Her appointment will be effective April 6, 2026.
The selection of Thomas is significant for the legal community in San Antonio and the broader region, as she brings experience from both public service and private practice in bankruptcy law.
Thomas has served as the Assistant United States Trustee for the San Antonio field office since July 2021. In that role, she “exhibited a strong commitment to public service and excellence in the practice of bankruptcy law.” She was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, and holds bachelor’s degrees in violin performance and arts management from Northern Arizona University. She later attended Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, where she served as editor-in-chief of the Lewis & Clark Law Review and graduated magna cum laude.
Her early career included clerking for Judge Jack Landau at both the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court. After her clerkship, Thomas worked at Davis Miles McGuire Gardner, PLLC and Flagstaff Law Group in Arizona, representing debtors and creditors in various types of bankruptcies. She earned certification as a specialist in consumer bankruptcy from the Arizona State Bar and was active with the Arizona Bankruptcy American Inn of Court.
After moving to Texas, Thomas became involved with the Larry E. Kelly Bankruptcy American Inn of Court and contributed to the 2024 WDTX Local Rules Committee. Outside her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family attending music lessons, sports games, reading, classical music concerts, and paddle boarding.
Chief Judge Craig A. Gargotta said: “Please join us in welcoming Aubrey L. Thomas as our newest bankruptcy judge, effective April 6, 2026.”
