Family & Upbringing
A future lawyer at 1 years old.
Juan was a college intern for Illinois United States Senator Paul Simon in 1990.
Juan is a life-long resident of Aurora, IL where he attended West Aurora Public Schools. From an early age, Juan had a passion for serving his community. He was elected Student Council President in junior high school and served as class president and Student Council President at West Aurora High School. Juan was elected by his colleagues from around the State of Illinois to serve as President of the Illinois Association of Student Councils during his senior year in high school. At West High, he was also a trumpet player in the symphonic, jazz, and marching bands.
With his mom when Juan graduated from Morehouse College in 1992.
Juan’s family has always been an integral part of the Aurora community. He was raised with a strong faith tradition and belief in community service. His mother, Wanda, retired as the Vice President of the Association for Individual Development (A.I.D.) in Aurora, working to improve the quality of life for the disabled community for over 47 years. She served on the board of numerous community organizations including, YWCA, Easter Seals, and the Visiting Nurses Association. Juan’s father, Larry, owned LT’S Restaurant in Aurora for over 25 years and was a founding member of the African American Chamber of Commerce. Juan developed his entrepreneurial spirit by working in his dad’s restaurant as a youngster and his desire to serve others by working with the disabled community at A.I.D. during summer vacations in college.
Juan graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Law, in Urbana-Champaign in 1996.
Angie and Juan celebrated 16 years of marriage on September 13, 2024.
Juan grew up as a member of Gayles Memorial Missionary Baptist Church in Aurora where he was baptized. As a child, he was a member of the church choir, usher board, and the youth department. Juan is an ordained minister and has served his community mentoring youth and in the prison ministry around the State of Illinois. On September 13, 2008, Juan married the love of his life, Angela Nicole Clay, who is from Silver Spring, MD.
Professional Career
Juan with other National Bar Presidents from the HNBA, NAPABA, and NNBA on Capital Hill.
Juan with then United States Senator, Kamala Harris, in 2018.
Juan founded The Thomas Law Group in Aurora, IL in 2003 and has been Of Counsel to Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., in Chicago since 2017. Juan’s practice includes the following specialties: real estate/estate planning, labor and employment, and family law. In addition, Juan provides counseling and training to firm clients in areas involving personnel, collective bargaining, and business development matters.
Juan has been hailed as a state and national leader in the legal and civic community. He is currently a member of the ABA’s Board of Governors, the Cook County Bar Association Board of Directors and a member of the Kane County Bar Association. Juan is also the 2nd Vice President of the Illinois Bar Foundation, and Treasurer of the National Conference of Bar Presidents.
Juan previously served as President of the National Bar Association, Chair of the ABA’s Civil Rights & Social Justice Section and was a member of the Illinois State Bar Association’s Board of Governors.
To learn more about Juan’s professional and civic background, please visit: https://qpwblaw.com/attorney/jtjuanthomaslaw-com/
Juan marching with his local Kiwanis Club on the July 4th parade in Aurora, IL.