Thomas Whitley combines his unique background in anatomy and physiology to advocate for injured people. He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and an inactive member of the Navajo Nation Bar Association. Specializing in workers’ compensation law since 1978, he has been a Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Arizona since 1990. Tom also served as an Administrative Law Judge with the Industrial Commission of Arizona for seven years.
A native Arizonan, he has close ties to Flagstaff and communities in northern Arizona and Phoenix but has represented clients throughout the state from the Colorado River to Chinle, and Colorado City to Douglas.
Tom earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in biological sciences from Creighton University in 1971 and his Juris Doctorate at Creighton University’s School of Law, graduating in 1978.
During his 40+ years as an attorney, he has actively served the Arizona State Bar Association on many committees to further the legal community of Workers’ Compensation attorneys. Over the years Tom has presented at State Bar seminars as well as those sponsored by the Industrial Commission of Arizona and has served on committees for the Industrial Commission of Arizona. Additionally, he has lectured and supplied written materials at many private legal seminars on issues of workers’ compensation law. Tom is a past faculty member of the American Institute of Paralegal Studies. He has also been published in other State Bar of Arizona publications, and Arizona Attorney Magazine.
Timothy P. Fisher, Thomas C. Whitley, “When Worlds Collide: The Intersection of Workers’ Compensation and Just About Everything Else” Arizona Attorney Magazine, (April 2000)
Supporting youth athletics has been a big part of Tom’s life. He has been involved as a coach, referee, umpire, and has held many board and leadership roles on youth athletic programs, including President of the Flagstaff Soccer Club. Outside of the courtroom and off the field, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and traveling.
Appellate Decisions
Tom has many appellate decisions from the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. As early as 1983 and as recently as 2023, with other decisions still pending. In recent years, he has been joined by Nicholas Whitley to allow the courts to make groundbreaking appellate decisions.
ARIZONA SUPREME COURT
Aguirre v. Industrial Comm’n, 247 Ariz. 75, 445 P.3d 1040 (2019)
ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
Vande Krol v. Industrial Comm’n, No. 1 CA-IC 22-0046, Filed 7-11-2023 (Pending Review)
Aguirre v. Industrial Comm’n, 245 Ariz. 587, 432 P.3d 946 (App. 2018) (Affirmed in part)
City of Flagstaff v. Industrial Comm’n, 236 Ariz. 606, 343 P.3d 918 (App. 2015)
Hahn v. Industrial Comm’n, 227 Ariz. 72, 252 P.3d 1036 (App. 2011)
Carr v. Industrial Comm’n, 197 Ariz. 164, 3 P.3d 1084 (App. 1999)
Howard P. Foley Co. v. Industrial Comm’n, 151 Ariz. 522, 729 P.2d 326 (App. 1986)
Madison Granite Co. v. Industrial Comm’n, 138 Ariz. 573, 676 P.2d 1 (App. 1983)
Education
B.S. Creighton University, Biological Sciences, 1971
J.D. Creighton University School of Law, 1978
Accolades and Awards
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Arizona Business Magazine Top Attorneys of Arizona
Arizona's Finest Lawyers
Southwest Super Lawyers
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America-Trial Lawyer Honorary Society
Marquis Who’s Who in American Law
American Registry America’s Most Honored Professional
Jurisdictions where admitted to practice
Arizona State Courts
Federal District Court of Arizona
United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Navajo Nation Courts