John W. Thornton Jr. at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- District Court of Appeal of Florida
- Jurisdiction
- Florida · State
- Judicial service
- Active
John W. Thornton Jr.
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, District Court of Appeal of Florida, 2007-present
- Judge Thornton served on the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, Civil Division, in Florida, appointed by Governor Charlie Crist in July 2007 to replace Judge David Young
- Began his career as an assistant state attorney, serving as a division chief in the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office
Education
- University of Miami in — J.D. (1977)
- University of Notre Dame in — B.A. (1974)
Additional information
- Thornton has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Miami School of Law since 1995, teaching litigation skills.
- He was re-elected unopposed in 2010 and 2016 and resigned on January 3, 2020.
- Practitioner, 2006-2006
- Before his judicial appointment, Thornton was a founding partner of Thornton & Rothman, P.A., a Miami-based defense firm
- representing both individual and institutional clients, including the University of Miami and the Archdiocese of Miami.
- Also one of Florida’s first board-certified criminal trial lawyers.
- Recognized for his meticulous preparation, balanced approach, and expertise in insurance, construction, and corporate law.
- During his tenure, he presided over more than 100 jury trials and led the Complex Business Litigation Division for five years, including four years as the International Commercial Arbitration Division judge.
- His judicial work encompassed commercial and contractual disputes, class actions, insurance, real estate, construction, healthcare, professional malpractice, personal injury, and complex business law.
- Since retiring from the bench, Thornton has joined JAMS as a mediator, arbitrator, special magistrate, and private trial judge, leveraging his extensive experience in complex business litigation and international commercial arbitration.
- He has also been active in bar leadership, serving as president of the Florida Bar Foundation, president of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association, and a member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors for 10 years.
- Additionally, he has contributed to pro bono initiatives, including chairing the Board of Directors of Camillus Health Concern, a nonprofit serving homeless individuals in Miami-Dade County.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Media And Still Photography
Statewide
Electronic media and still-photography coverage is allowed in Florida public trial and appellate proceedings under Rule 2.450's equipment and conduct standards, always subject to the presiding judge's control of decorum, distractions, and fair administration.
Subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to: (i) control the conduct of proceedings before the court; (ii) ensure decorum and prevent distractions; and (iii) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause, electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings in the appellate and trial courts of this state shall be allowedFlorida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗
Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View District Court of Appeal of Florida current judicial profile ↗Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.450, Media and Still Photography Coverage ↗