Hon. Thomas R. Murphy brings to JAMS more than four decades of experience as an attorney, judge, and neutral. First appointed as a municipal judge in 1980, he joined the San Diego County Superior Court in 1985 where he spent the next fifteen years focusing on family law and probate disputes. While on the bench, Judge Murphy also created and participated in a court-based alternative dispute resolution program. Since retiring from the court in 2000, Judge Murphy has developed a reputation as an elite family law and probate neutral. He is regarded for his ability to bring a calm demeanor to high-profile and contentious disputes and is known for crafting creative resolutions to complex issues.
ADR Experience and Qualifications
- Extensive experience resolving family law, probate, business, partnership, and personal injury disputes
- Managed complex litigation, including class actions and construction defect litigation
- Designed a management program for the resolution of high-profile family law and probate matters
- Between 1994 and 1998, resolved more than 220 cases without going to trial
Representative Matters
- Family
- Extensive experience resolving family law disputes involving:
- Dissolution of marriage
- Division of assets
- Custody
- Child support
- Valuation and division of family-run business
- Non-marital (Marvin) partnerships
- Probate
- Resolved numeruous probate matters involving disputes over wills, community property, and hidden assets
- Construction defect
- Resolved disputes involving water intrusion, soil compaction, erosion, plumbing, and other issues
- Business