Meet Tri
Tri Thornhill was born and raised in Winter Haven. He has lived in Polk County almost his entire life. He is Florida Bar Board Certified in Civil Trial law. This is the highest level of recognition by The Florida Bar of the competency and experience of attorneys approved for certification by the Supreme Court of Florida. He has been nominated, evaluated using 12 criteria for professionalism and skill and awarded the distinction of Super Lawyer, an honor that less than 5% of lawyers have achieved nationwide. In addition, He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, the highest professionalism and ethical rating from the nationally recognized service for rating lawyers.
Tri currently serves as chair of the 10th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee, which was formed by the Florida Supreme Court to receive, screen, and act upon complaints of unprofessional conduct by attorneys. Tri served as a member and the Chair of the Grievance Committee for the Florida Bar, a committee that evaluates ethical complaints against lawyers in the Tenth Judicial Circuit. In the past, Tri has served as a reader for the Florida Bar examination essays. He also serves as Inn Administrator for the Willson American Inn of Court, an invitation only association of lawyers and judges of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Tri is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates.
With respect to charitable work, Tri is a member of Kiwanis Club of Lakeland. For many years, he worked as a volunteer for the Justice Teaching program which teaches the judicial system to middle school children. Tri delivers groceries to home bound seniors through VISTE, a Lakeland organization that serves the elderly. He is a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Tri graduated second in his class from the University of Florida School of Law, was on Law Review, received the Book Award for Torts, Contracts, and Property, and received Order of the Coif. He was magna cum laude from Dartmouth College and second in his class from Winter Haven Senior High. Prior to working at Howell & Thornhill, Tri worked as a law clerk for Judge Federico Moreno, the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Tri is admitted to practice in all Florida state courts, United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
When he is not mowing or pressure washing, he enjoys running and triathlons.