Hon. Richard S. Whitney (Ret.)

Hon. Richard S. Whitney (Ret.) joins JAMS as a neutral following over 23 years of distinguished service on the bench. Judge Whitney has presided over thousands of matters, including high-stakes environmental, major residential land development and medical device and pharmaceutical development disputes, as well as intricate class action settlements. His impressive career is marked by a focus on efficiency, fairness and transparency for all parties involved. 

Before joining JAMS, Judge Whitney built a notable career presiding over civil cases with the San Diego County Superior Court. Judge Whitney was respected for his preparation and his ability to distill complex legal theories into actionable rulings. He presided over a wide range of complex matters, including wrongful death, pharmaceutical and spinal medical device, medical malpractice, land use and zoning, CEQA, and business and transactional disputes, as well as criminal cases involving homicide, sexual assault and other serious offenses. His experience includes high-profile and landmark matters, such as the PH Miracle case involving the unlawful practice of medicine, as well as major CEQA and land development disputes affecting the San Diego region. 

Prior to his judicial service, Judge Whitney spent more than 18 years in private practice as a civil litigator. He represented national and international insurance companies and their insureds, handling complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries and suspected fraudulent claims. He tried more than 20 jury trials and participated in hundreds of arbitrations and mediations. He conducted hundreds of depositions of nationally recognized neurosurgeons, neuroradiologists and orthopedic surgeons. Working extensively with leading medical experts, he developed a comprehensive understanding of clinical evaluations, physical examinations, diagnostic imaging and the medical interpretation of injury causation, disease etiology and related findings.

As a practicing attorney, Judge Whitney gained extensive experience in complex litigation involving neurological and spinal injuries, including catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters. He was a frequent lecturer on spinal anatomy and neuroradiology and completed UCLA’s medical training program for lawyers, further deepening his understanding of medicine and the mechanisms of injury.

Judge Whitney brings extensive alternative dispute resolution experience, having served as a judge pro tem, court-appointed arbitrator and private mediator. He has completed formal mediation training by world-renowned mediator Gregg Relyea and is known for a balanced (facilitative and evaluative) approach to dispute resolution.