The Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (Ret.) Receives Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award

The Hon. Thomas Ashworth III (Ret.), who spent his entire distinguished, 16-year, judicial career from 1986 to 2002 as a family law jurist in the San Diego Superior Court, was honored with the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) Southern California Chapter on February 18, 2016, at the Baci Ristorante in San Diego. Upon his retirement from the bench in 2002, Judge Ashworth joined JAMS, the largest private alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider in the world, and quickly became one of the most sought-after private family law judges in Southern California. He will retire from JAMS in 2016. This is the second honor the AAML Southern California Chapter has bestowed on Judge Ashworth, who was named “Judicial Person on the Year” by the organization in 2001.

“Judge Ashworth has been a true pillar of the legal community,” says James Hennenhoefer, a Past President of AAML Southern California Chapter and principal of the law firm James A. Hennenoffer APC in Vista, CA. “His tact, patience, fairness, intelligence and exemplary judicial temperament are always evident, making it a distinct pleasure to try a case before him. His imminent retirement from JAMS will create a huge gap in the San Diego family law community.”

During his 16 years with the San Diego County Superior Court and subsequent service as a private judge, Judge Ashworth (Ret.), has been described as a committed, fair and sensitive judge with a good sense of humor who is highly skilled at facilitating communications between disputing parties. He is also widely recognized for his extraordinary intellect, resolving even the most contentious family law cases through his thorough and impartially analysis of issues. On the Superior Court, Judge Ashworth’s responsibilities included Family Law Assignment (January 1997-2002); San Diego Juvenile Court Assignment (January 1994-January 1996); and Family Law Assignment (December 1986-December 1993; Supervising, 1989-1993). In recognition of his vast contributions to the field of family law, the City of San Diego proclaimed January 31, 2016, “Thomas Ashworth III Day.” Among other honors, Judge Ashworth previously received the Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award from the San Diego County Bar Association’s Certified Family Law Specialists and was named Family Law Judge of the Year by the California State Bar. Judge Ashworth earned a J.D. from Sanford University Law School and a B.S. from the United States Naval Academy.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), founded in 1962, promotes the highest degree of professionalism, integrity and excellence in the practice of family law. There are currently 1,600 AAML Fellows in 50 states recognized by their peers and the judiciary as preeminent matrimonial law practitioners. Exceptionally skilled negotiators and litigators with extensive experience in complex family law matters, they also encourage the study, improve the practice, elevate the standards and advance the cause of matrimonial law. Only 90 Southern California family lawyers have met the stringent admission requirements of the national organization required to become Fellows of the Southern California Chapter, an extremely prestigious honor. These top attorneys handle such matters as divorce, paternity, premarital agreements, legal separation, annulment, custody, property valuation, support, and the rights of domestic partners and unmarried cohabitors. They are leaders in national, state and local bar organizations, and are sought-after speakers at continuing legal education programs. To be represented by a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to be represented by a leading practitioner in the field of family law. For more information on the AAML SoCal Chapter and its Fellows, visit www. socal.aaml.org.