Newport attorney gets judgeship

Deepa Bharath

For attorney Thomas Goethals, the tragic events of Sept. 11 sent

out a clarion call.

The 50-year-old Newport Beach attorney, who had tried more than

200 cases while in the Orange County district attorney’s office and

then moved into private practice, decided it was time to get back to

where he belonged and do what he enjoyed doing the most -- public

service.

Goethals’ wish was granted Friday when Gov. Gray Davis appointed

him a judge of the Orange County Superior Court.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” he said. “I spent my first 12 years in

the D.A.’s office and last 12 in criminal defense work. I missed

public service a lot and really enjoyed my time as a deputy [district

attorney].”

Goethals said he looks forward to playing a different role.

“Being a judge is like being a neutral referee,” he said. “The

goal is to see both sides get a fair result. It will be nice to move

from the advocate’s table and help in a different way.”

He earned his bachelor’s from Santa Clara University and law

degree from Loyola University Law School in Los Angeles, where he now

teaches trial advocacy. He has served as an instructor for the

California District Attorneys Assn., including in its National

Homicide Symposium and Master Trial Advocacy College.

Goethals has tried six death penalty cases in his career,

including the high-profile trial of Rodney Alcala, who was found

guilty of kidnapping and killing a 12-year-old girl in 1979. Alcala

is now on death row.

A Newport Beach resident for 20 years, Goethals has also been an

active member of the community as a soccer coach and as a eucharistic

minister in his church. He has been married to Patty for 26 years and

has two sons and a daughter.

Goethals will replace retiring Judge Tully Seymour -- also a

Newport Beach resident and former Newport Beach city attorney.

“I’m honored to take Judge Seymour’s place,” Goethals said. “I’ve

always admired him.”

Seymour said he believes Goethals “is an excellent attorney and

will make a wonderful judge.”

“He has an outstanding personality,” he said, “and an even

temperament.”

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at deepa.bharath@latimes.com.