James F. Thaxter

Justice James F. Thaxter was appointed to the Court of Appeals, Fifth Appellate District by Governor Deukmejian in 1989 and was confirmed by the Commission on Judicial Appointments in 1990. He had previously served as a judge on the Superior Court of Fresno County from 1985 to 1990. Prior to this, he had a private law practice focusing on business litigation and probate contests. Justice Thaxter authored several noteworthy opinions, including Putnam v. Clague (1992) and People v. Berry (1990). He graduated with a LL.B from Hastings College of the Law in 1959 and also holds a B.A. from Fresno State College, an A.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a high school diploma from Fresno High School. He is a Republican and enjoys backpacking and reading.