Thomas J. Bellinder
Thomas Bellinder is a native of Manhattan, Kansas and Brandon, Mississippi. Mr. Bellinder worked several years under the mentorship of Dennis C. Sweet, III before founding the Bellinder Law Firm. He specializes in trial work with the focus of his practice being civil insurance litigation, typically handling the claims of injured individuals. He has significant experience in trial practice, appeals, motions practice, discovery pleadings, oral arguments, expert designation, depositions and case evaluation. To date, Mr. Bellinder has recovered over forty-seven million dollars ($47,000,000.00) in gross civil settlements for his clients.
Mr. Bellinder maintains associations with at least a dozen other lawyers and law firms in surrounding areas and jurisdictions. Mr. Bellinder is a board member of the Jackson Free Clinic, a student-run organization which provides free health care to Mississippi citizens.
Mr. Bellinder’s wife, Lauretha, is a native of Brandon, Mississippi. They were married in 2012 and reside in Brandon. They are the proud parents of one son, Landon Thomas Bellinder. They are actively involved as members at The Bridge Church.
Admissions to Practice Law
| STATE | YEAR |
|---|---|
| Florida | 2009 |
| Mississippi | 2009 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | 2010 |
| Texas | 2015 |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi | 2009 |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi | 2009 |
| United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 2010 |
| U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida (Pensacola Division) | 2015 |
| Choctaw Civil Court | 2016 |
Education
Florida International University College of Law, Miami, FL
- Juris Doctor, May 2008
- FIU Board of Advocates, 2006-2008
- Trial Team Member, AAJ Trial Competition Southeast Regional Champions, 2008
- Trial Team Member, Zehmer Mock Trial Competition, Semi-Finalists, 2006
University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, MS
- Completed first year of Law School, May 2006
- Ranked Top Third GPA; Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity
Mississippi College, Clinton, MS
- Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, May 2005
- Focus areas in History, Political Science and Economics
- Completed entire program in one year, while working full time
Belhaven College, Jackson, MS
- Bachelors of Arts Degree in History, December 2003
- Graduated Cum Laude a semester early; Dean’s list 6 times; NAIAFootball.net Honorable Mention All-American, Football, 2003; 1st Team All-Mid South Conference, 2003; maintained 3.48 GPA while working part-time during football season, full time during off-season
Memberships
The Florida Bar
The Mississippi Bar
The Washington, D.C. Bar
The Texas Bar
Capitol Area Bar Association
The Magnolia Bar
