Judge John W. Thornton, Jr.: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. Charles J. Crist, Jr.

Biography

The Hon. John W. Thornton, Jr. (Ret.) served as a judge for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida in Miami-Dade County. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Charlie Crist in 2007. He was re-elected to the post in 2010 and 2016. Thornton resigned from the bench in January 2020.


Over the course of his judicial career, Thornton held assignments in the Civil Division (2011 to 2020), the Complex Business Litigation Division (2013 to 2018), the International Commercial Arbitration Division (2014 to 2018), the Circuit Court Appellate Division (2007 to 2019), and the Criminal Division (2007 to 2011).


He received a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. He went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in 1977. While in law school, Thornton served as a law clerk to the late Hon. James W. Kehoe of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court. He also sat on the editorial board of Lawyer of the Americas International Law Journal.


After graduating from law school, he became an assistant state attorney at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, a position he held until 1980. At that time, Thornton left the public sector to enter into private practice, specializing in criminal and white-collar defense. He became the founding partner at Thornton and Rothman, P.A., where he practiced for twenty-seven years until his appointment to the Circuit Court bench.


In addition to his law practice, he taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami School of Law.


His memberships have included the Cuban American Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. Bar Association, and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has also served as President of the Dade County Bar Association and the Florida Bar Foundation.


Thornton sat on the Executive Committee, the Evaluation Committee, the Procedures Committee, and the Rules Committee of The Florida Bar. He served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Camillus Health Concern as well as a member of the Indigent Services Committee for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida.


Among his many awards, he received the Lex Christi, Lex Amoris Award from the Miami Catholic Lawyers Guild in 2017.

Recent Cases by Hon. John W. Thornton, Jr.

On April 18, 2022 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

15 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2022

Status

Active

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 21, 2023

On July 9, 2021 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

30 Files
Filed

Jul 09, 2021

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

May 18, 2022

On September 11, 2020 an intellectual property case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

10 Files
Filed

Sep 11, 2020

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Intellectual Property

Practice Area

Intellectual Property

Matter Type

General IP

Case Last Refreshed

May 16, 2022

On January 27, 2020 a shareholder derivative case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jan 27, 2020

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Shareholder Derivative

Practice Area

Securities

Matter Type

General Securities

Case Last Refreshed

May 14, 2022

On July 31, 2019 a rpmf -non-homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jul 31, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 10, 2021

On May 22, 2019 an injunctive relief case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

274 Files
Filed

May 22, 2019

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Injunctive Relief

Practice Area

Civil

Matter Type

Injunctive Action

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 18, 2025

On June 11, 2018 a condominium case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

413 Files
Filed

Jun 11, 2018

Status

Active

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Condominium

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Condominium

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 27, 2022

On March 30, 2018 a rpmf -non-homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

20 Files
Filed

Mar 30, 2018

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 02, 2021

On October 28, 2016 a rpmf -homestead ($250,000 or more) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

27 Files
Filed

Oct 28, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($250,000 or more)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 09, 2021

On March 3, 2016 a county and admin appeals (ap) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

64 Files
Filed

Mar 03, 2016

Status

Appealed

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

County and Admin Appeals (AP)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Admin Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

May 13, 2026

On January 25, 2016 a rpmf -homestead ($0 - $50,000) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

11 Files
Filed

Jan 25, 2016

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($0 - $50,000)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 28, 2021

On August 21, 2015 a writ of certiorari case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

29 Files
Filed

Aug 21, 2015

Status

Relief Denied

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Writ of Certiorari

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 21, 2024

On January 2, 2015 a condominium case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

521 Files
Filed

Jan 02, 2015

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Condominium

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Condominium

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 29, 2021

On September 16, 2014 a rpmf -non-homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

14 Files
Filed

Sep 16, 2014

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 08, 2021

On June 13, 2014 a rpmf -homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

12 Files
Filed

Jun 13, 2014

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 01, 2021

On June 3, 2014 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

42 Files
Filed

Jun 03, 2014

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 31, 2021

On April 18, 2014 a rpmf -non-homestead ($250,000 or more) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

100 Files
Filed

Apr 18, 2014

Status

Active

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($250,000 or more)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 31, 2021

On January 9, 2014 contract & indebtedness case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Jan 09, 2014

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Contract & Indebtedness

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

General Creditor

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 14, 2021

On December 5, 2013 a rpmf -homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

14 Files
Filed

Dec 05, 2013

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2021

On November 16, 2013 business transactions case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

129 Files
Filed

Nov 16, 2013

Status

Bankruptcy

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

Business Transactions

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

General Commercial

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2021

On November 5, 2013 a rpmf -homestead ($250,000 or more) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

43 Files
Filed

Nov 05, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($250,000 or more)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 20, 2021

On September 5, 2013 a rpmf -non-homestead ($250,000 or more) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

18 Files
Filed

Sep 05, 2013

Status

Non-Jury Verdict

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($250,000 or more)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 22, 2021

On June 29, 2013 a rpmf -homestead ($50,001 - $249,999) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

14 Files
Filed

Jun 29, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Homestead ($50,001 - $249,999)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 25, 2021

On June 19, 2013 a rpmf -non-homestead ($250,000 or more) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Miami-Dade County. Judge John W. Thornton, Jr. presiding.

18 Files
Filed

Jun 19, 2013

Status

Dismissal

Court

Miami-Dade County

County

Miami-Dade County, FL

Court Category

RPMF -Non-Homestead ($250,000 or more)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2021