Thomas M. McLaughlin

A true citizen of Tampa Bay, Thomas M. McLaughlin attended Belcher Elementary, Oak Grove Middle, Pinellas Park High, and the University of South Florida. Tom attended Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport where he graduated in the top 15% of his class.

In 1999, he began his career as a criminal defense attorney with the Public Defender’s Office for the Sixth Judicial Circuit. He later transitioned to a position as a staff attorney where he worked with felony judges reviewing postconviction motions and preparing orders.

Tom built a second career in education, and for sixteen years, he taught elementary and middle school students in Safety Harbor. As a teacher, his favorite lessons involved educating the students about their constitutional rights. During his teaching career, Tom was on the court-appointed list for criminal appeals and continued his criminal defense work on a part-time basis.

Tom spends his free time enjoying the company of his wife and four children. Boating, fishing, camping, and attending his children’s sporting events are some of his favorite activities.