Local Election Spotlight: Lukas Thomas for Fairfield Judge of Probate

This Patch article is sponsored by Lukas J. Thomas, running for Fairfield Judge of Probate. For more information about his campaign, please visit fairfieldprobate.com.

Patch: What attracted you to politics, and how did you get started?
Lukas Thomas: My commitment to public service began before my legal career, when I worked for the Connecticut General Assembly's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. That experience taught me that government works best when it is guided by fairness, accountability, and respect for every individual. I've carried that belief through my work ever since. The Probate Court is where it matters most, because people come to it at some of the hardest moments of their lives.

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Patch: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your campaign?
Lukas Thomas: I'm an attorney, a Fairfield resident, and a principal at Owens, Schine & Nicola, P.C. I live in town with my wife, Larissa, and our daughter, Connie. I'm running for Judge of Probate because probate shouldn't be the worst part of losing a loved one. The court should be a place where families are treated with dignity, decency, and humanity, and I want to bring experience, compassion, and efficiency to that role.

Patch: How long have you lived in Fairfield?
Lukas Thomas: More than twenty years.

Patch: Tell us about your career and service in Fairfield
Lukas Thomas: I've practiced law for nearly two decades, starting after I graduated from Quinnipiac University School of Law. I've worked in private practice the whole time, including running my own firm before joining Owens, Schine & Nicola, where I've practiced for the past ten years. A substantial part of my practice is probate: administering estates and guiding families through the legal process after a loss. I've helped hundreds of families through it. Early at the firm, I worked alongside the late Judge Daniel Caruso, who served as Fairfield's Probate Judge for many years. His mentorship shaped my understanding of probate law and of the importance of ethics, compassion, and grace in public service.

In town, I serve as Hearing Officer for the Town of Fairfield, where I fairly and impartially decide municipal matters. I also chair the Fairfield Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency, leading a bipartisan body through a period of significant reform and modernization.

Patch: What are some ways you give back to the community?
Lukas Thomas: I've spent countless hours serving Fairfield through the Conservation Commission and Inland Wetlands Agency. I also teach as an Adjunct Professor of Legal Studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College, where I enjoy mentoring the next generation of legal professionals.

Patch: If you were to be elected, what would some of your top priorities/policies/changes be?
Lukas Thomas: First, treating every family with compassion, dignity, and respect, and making the court a welcoming, easy-to-navigate place during a difficult time. Second, running an efficient court, with timely decisions and clear communication so families aren't left waiting or confused. Third, bringing fairness and impartiality to the bench, building on my experience as a hearing officer.

Patch: What distinguishes you from other candidates?
Lukas Thomas: I bring nearly twenty years of legal experience, including a probate-focused practice that has helped hundreds of Fairfield families. I also have judicial-style experience as the Town's Hearing Officer and leadership experience chairing a bipartisan commission. And I learned the court's values firsthand from the late Judge Caruso.

Patch: What's the biggest challenge or most difficult moment you've faced during this election?
Lukas Thomas: The biggest challenge has been balancing the campaign with everything else I'm committed to. I'm still practicing law full time, teaching at Naugatuck Valley Community College, and serving the town as Hearing Officer and Conservation Commission chair, and I didn't want to step back from any of those responsibilities. That meant a lot of early mornings and late nights. But it has also kept me connected to the people I'd serve as judge, and it reminds me that clients, students, and neighbors all deserve my full attention.

Patch: What's the most satisfying part about running in this election?
Lukas Thomas: The most satisfying part has been meeting and talking with so many of my neighbors across town. I've lived in Fairfield for more than twenty years, and these conversations have still taught me something new about the town and what matters to the people who live here. Hearing their stories and concerns, including how they feel about the Probate Court, has reinforced why I'm running.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your campaign?
Lukas Thomas: Readers can visit fairfieldprobate.com to read my full biography, volunteer, or get in touch. They can also follow the campaign on Facebook.