Judge Lawson Edwarde Thomas (28 January 1898- 14 September 1989) was born in Ocala, Florida, the son of Robert James and Hattie (Butler) Thomas. Thomas received a B.S from Florida A&M College in 1919, and an LL.B from the University of Michigan in 1923.

            Thomas was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1926. He practiced in Detroit at Mc Gill & Mc Gill, from 1926-1928. He then began to practice in Jacksonville, Florida from 1929-1934. Thomas took the Florida bar in 1933.

            Beginning in 1935, he began practicing law in Miami Florida. In 1940, he married Eugenia Brook, (who was known as a community pioneer), with whom he had two daughters. Thomas was Municipal Judge for the City of Miami from  1950-1955. Judge Thomas Terminated his Judgeship on November 24, 1955. He then opened his own law firm from 1956-1957, located at 1035 Northwest 2nd Avenue.

          L. E. Thomas died on September 14, 1989. In 2002 a courthouse center was built at 175 Northwest  First avenue in honor of Judge L. E. Thomas. While alive Judge L.E. Thomas was honored by several organizations, such as: the Greater Miami Urban League, American Judicature Society, National Bar Association, Omega Psi Phi, and Trustee of Bethel A.M.E Church. He was also a member of the following clubs: Y.M.C.A, President of Citizens Service League, and King of Clubs.