Thomas Willhite Email & Phone Number

The Honorable Thomas L. Willhite, Jr. joined ADR Services, Inc. in February 2023 after a distinguished judicial career of more than 30 years, having served on the former Los Angeles Municipal Court, the Los Angeles Superior Court, and the California Court of Appeal. As a judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, besides several criminal law assignments (including long-cause criminal trials in a high security courtroom), Justice Willhite presided over a fast-track civil trial court for five years (2000-2005). In civil trial court, he heard law and motion matters, conducted settlement conferences, and tried cases involving a broad range of civil claims. He became known for his grasp of civil law and procedure, his fairness, and his calm demeanor and temperament. In 2005, Justice Willhite was appointed as an Associate Justice to the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Four, where he served until 2023. As an appellate justice, Justice Willhite developed a reputation for the conciseness, clarity, and analytical rigor of his opinions, his command of the law and appellate procedure, and his collegiality with his colleagues and the bar. In his Daily Journal appellate profile, he was described by attorneys as having “the ability to cut to the chase and discuss what is really going on the case,” and of demonstrating “a combination of thoughtfulness, careful research, good common sense and judgment.” Justice Willhite has authored more than 2,000 opinions in many diverse areas of the law, including arbitration, asbestos litigation, CEQA, the California Coastal Act, class actions, commercial contract and general business litigation, consumer law, defamation, elder abuse, employment law, eminent domain and inverse condemnation, education law, employment law, family law, health care, insurance coverage and bad faith, intellectual property and trade secret litigation, personal injury and wrongful death, probate and trusts, products liability, professional liability, real estate, and worker’s compensation exclusivity. More specific information about his experience is available on his website.Justice Willhite has been a frequent lecturer in judicial education on various topics. He is fluent in Italian and has been a guest lecturer in comparative law at two Italian universities.In his spare time, Justice Willhite enjoys cooking, reading and travel. He also raises money for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank through selling tickets to annual dinners that he and his wife host at their home, for which he is the chef.