Hon. Thomas M. Goethals (Ret.)
California Court of Appeal
Fourth Appellate District, Division Three
Mediator, Arbitrator, Private Judge, Appellate Consultant
About Justice Goethals
Hon. Thomas M. Goethals (Ret.) brings a wealth of experience, insight, and professionalism to his work as a dispute resolution neutral. Over nearly five decades, he has served as a trial lawyer, criminal prosecutor, Superior Court judge, and appellate justice. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of the complexities of both civil and criminal law, earning a reputation for fairness, integrity, and the ability to guide parties toward resolution. Justice Goethals has earned a reputation as a principled and pragmatic decision-maker. His extensive experience in trial litigation, combined with his judicial leadership, makes him uniquely qualified to assist parties in navigating mutually beneficial outcomes through mediation and arbitration.
Justice Goethals’ legal career began as a law clerk and civil litigator at Keesal, Young & Logan. He later joined the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, where he prosecuted a broad spectrum of criminal cases over the course of more than a decade. As a trial prosecutor, he became highly skilled in courtroom advocacy, frequently handling high-profile and high-stakes matters requiring sound judgment under intense scrutiny. His experience prosecuting and managing high-profile cases deepened his commitment to preserving the integrity of the legal system.
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Case Summaries
Case Summaries
Case Summaries
Case Summaries
Case Summaries