Levi Thomas

Levi is a discerning counselor who guides clients through challenging situations by uncovering the truth and charting a clear path forward. As a former federal prosecutor, he brings over a decade of experience leading complex investigations, providing counsel in high-stakes matters, and litigating cases at the trial and appellate levels.

Levi has led hundreds of investigations into criminal activity, regulatory violations, and conduct that could give rise to civil liability, bringing a depth of expertise from over six years with the U.S. Department of Justice and three years with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. In private practice, Levi conducts internal investigations to help organizations assess allegations of misconduct, understand their legal implications, and determine an appropriate response. Drawing on his firsthand knowledge of how government investigators and prosecutors build cases, Levi also provides sophisticated corporate and white-collar defense strategies, prioritizing the resolution of matters before the filing of formal charges. He is adept at guiding clients in responding to grand jury subpoenas, search warrants, target letters, and other government inquiries, and preparing witnesses for every stage of the investigative and litigation process.

Levi also regularly provides employment and outside general counsel services to businesses, nonprofits, and professionals. He delivers tailored advice and counsel on complicated legal and business matters. His fourteen years of experience in federal practice allow him to quickly cut to the core of issues, and his passion for teaching allows him to explain clients’ options clearly and precisely. He enjoys helping organizations thrive by proactively implementing best practices and organizational controls.

A seasoned litigator, Levi has tried numerous cases to verdict in federal jury and bench trials and handled multiple federal appeals. Prior to joining Castañeda + Heidelman, he served as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, where he investigated and prosecuted over 450 criminal cases. He previously served as counsel with the Department of Homeland Security, where he supervised investigations, advised management, and litigated national security and immigration matters. An adept legal writer and appellate advocate, Levi began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Catharina Haynes of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and Judge Zack Hawthorn of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

In addition to his practice, Levi serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Texas A&M University School of Law, where he teaches White Collar Crime and Criminal Sentencing. A graduate of New York University School of Law, Levi distinguished himself as a Senior Executive Editor of the Law Review and a Fellow of the Center on the Administration of Criminal Law. Before his legal career, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Ross Volunteers, and Mays Business Fellows.