Supreme Court Seal
South Carolina
Judicial Department
Judge Paula H. Thomas

The Honorable Judge Paula H. Thomas was born in Sumter, South Carolina to James Lee Hinson, retired Air Force Captain and businessman, and Betty G. Hinson.

Judge Thomas attended University of South Carolina, obtaining a BIS in 1979, M.Ed. in 1981. In 1986 Judge Thomas received her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Judge Thomas has been a member of the South Carolina Bar Association, Georgetown County Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association; Chairwoman of Georgetown County Walk America; Treasurer of Georgetown County Bar Association, 1991; Administration Board Chair, St. Paul's Waccamaw, UMC, 1992; member of Pawleys Island Rotary Club 1991-1993; member of S.C. House of Representatives 1993-1996; 2nd Vice-Chair, House Judicial Committee; Chairman, General Laws Subcommittee, and on the House Rules Committee; served on the Joint Judicial Legislative Screening Committee; elected Judge-at-Large, Seat 1, May 22, 1996, to fill the unexpired term of Ralph King Anderson Jr. elected to Court of Appeals; re-elected to that same seat in 1997; elected to the 15th Circuit Court June 16, 1998, to fill the unexpired term of David H. Maring Sr., serving continuously until elected to Court of Appeals, Seat 4, on February 7, 2007 to succeed C. Tolbert Goolsby, retired.

Judge Thomas is married to Don S. Thomas. They are parents to one son, Austin, and twin daughters.

Photo of Justice Paula Thomas
The Honorable Paula H. Thomas
Court of Appeals
1220 Senate Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-1890