Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (Ret.)

T: 619-236-1848
F:619-236-9032

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Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (Ret.) is widely recognized for his extraordinary intellect, thorough analysis of issues and dedication, is highly skilled at facilitating communications between disputing parties. He is often described as a committed, fair, and sensitive judge with a good sense of humor.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

  • Extensive experience resolving predominately family law matters and presiding over civil trials
  • Expert in resolving the most contentious cases in the family law, business, and real estate arenas, a culmination of 16 years of distinguished service on the San Diego County Superior Court bench

Representative Matters

  • Evaluation of large international, national, local, and regional corporations' assets to facilitate the marital dissolution process of key corporate officers
  • International corporation: oversaw division of assets for large international energy corporation
  • Complex tax issues raised by division/dissolution of professional, national, and international corporate entities
  • Evaluation of professional legal, medical, accounting, and dental practices
  • Determination of support rights for professionals' spouses and children
  • Division of retirement plans: military, private, and public
  • Business evaluation and division
  • Stock option evaluation and division
  • Construction defect issues related to home, condominium, and apartment complexes

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

  • City of San Diego Proclamation of January 31st as "Thomas Ashworth III Day"
  • Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award, San Diego County Bar Association's Certified Family Law Specialists, November 2002
  • Family Law Person of the Year, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Southern California Chapter, 2001
  • Family Law Judge of the Year, California State Bar, 1993
  • Member, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1996-2003
  • Chairman, Family Law Education Committee, California Judicial Education and Research, 2000-2003
  • Chairman, Family Law Committee, California Judges Association, 1990-1991
  • Faculty, Continuing Judicial Studies Program (Family Law); Judicial College (Family Law); CJER Juvenile Law and Procedure Institute; CJER Family Law and Procedure Institute
  • Founding Chairman, Family Law Specialists, San Diego Bar Association, 1983
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, since 1981
  • Member, Executive Committee, California State Bar, Family Law Section, San Diego, 1973-1974 (Chairman, 1970)
  • Lecturer: Rutter Group, CEB, San Diego Trial Lawyers, Certified Family Law Specialists, and Volunteer Lawyers, since 1968

Background and Education

  • Judge, Superior Court, San Diego County, 1986-2002; (Family Law Assignment, January 1997-2002); (San Diego Juvenile Court Assignment, January 1994-January 1996); (Family Law Assignment, December 1986-December 1993 (Supervising, 1989-1993))
  • Partner, Mitchell, Ashworth, Keeney, Barry and Pike, 1968-1986
  • Associate, Hervey & Mitchell, 1964-1968
  • J.D., Stanford University Law School, Palo Alto, CA, 1963
  • B.S., United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, 1956