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Mar. 20, 2026

Retired justice Thomas Goethals finds new role resolving disputes

Retired appellate Justice Thomas Goethals brings decades of courtroom experience to mediation and arbitration, using empathy, preparation and practical insight to resolve contentious disputes and guide parties toward settlement.

Read more about Thomas M. Goethals...
Retired justice Thomas Goethals finds new role resolving disputes

Thomas M. Goethals


Career Highlights: Joined ADR Services, March 2025; appointed to the 4th District Court of Appeal justice by Gov. Jerry Brown, Dec. 22, 2017, retired Feb. 28, 2024; Orange County Superior Court judges, 2002-2018; partner, Pohlson, Moorhead & Goethals, 1990-2002; supervising and deputy district attorney, Orange County district attorney's office, 1985-90; associate, Robinson and Robinson, 1984-85; deputy district attorney, Orange County district attorney's office, 1978-84

Law School: Loyola Law School, 1977

ADR Services
Business, personal injury, probate, estates, trusts, employment, appellate
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Thomas M. Goethals has spent nearly 50 years making tough calls in California courtrooms. Now, the former appellate justice is still doing just that -- only from a different seat -- as he works to guide deeply entrenched litigants toward resolution as a private neutral.

"I'm 73 years old, but I still have plenty of gas in the tank," Goethals said in an interview.

Goethals retired from the 4th District Court of Appeal last spring, and he's bee... (continued)

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