We regret to inform you that Tomas Olmos, Peoples College of Law Dean Emeritus, passed away on October 31, 2020.

Tomas Olmos, Dean Emeritus

Tomas was not only the Dean at PCL for over 20 years, but he was a professor and a mentor to many. Former students remember his enlightening Constitutional Law classes and his unrelenting professionalism and love of the law. He was the kindest, most even-tempered person.

His wife, Dolores Leal, says that Tomas left this world on his own terms, during his daily hike to the Griffith Observatory. His soul chose to depart on the eve of All Soul’s Day – and a few days away from his birthday. Though paramedics initially revived him, he left peacefully. 

We are having a hard time accepting that Tomas’ work here is done. He truly lived a life with purpose – a life consisted of many big chapters. Some of us were only familiar with his work at PCL, but Tomas was also a towering figure in the farmworker justice movement, the United Farm Workers, and the California Rural Legal Assistance. He was executive director at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles at a time of great change.

Tomas was an employment discrimination law champion. He dedicated many years to work at the EEOC, and later for Allred, Maroko, and Goldberg. Tomas was a fighter for equality and civil rights. He connected us to the community and supported many organizations and movements. 

He was a proud Mexican-American, a Chicano. He was revolutionary, but spiritual and faithful. He left too soon and left a big void in our community. Please keep Dolores, Joaquin, and Tomas’ entire family in your prayers. TOMAS OLMOS PRESENTE!

With much sadness,

Magda Madrigal, PCL ‘06 & Dorothy Herrera Settlage, PCL ‘87