Thomas Whittington

Competent in litigation, but communication could improve

I engaged Thomas Whittington at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips for a commercial dispute involving a breach of contract with a former business partner. His recognition in Commercial Litigation by Best Lawyers was a primary factor in my selection, and his foundational knowledge of the legal principles was evident. During our initial strategy sessions, he demonstrated a clear understanding of the procedural landscape for such cases in California. However, my experience was a mix of positives and frustrations. While the legal filings were thorough, there were periods where I felt out of the loop. Responses to emails were sometimes delayed by several business days, which created anxiety during a tense negotiation phase. The billing was precise, as expected from a firm of this caliber, but I occasionally questioned whether some of the junior associate work delegated warranted the premium rate. Ultimately, the matter was resolved with a satisfactory settlement, largely due to the firm's strong reputation and the solid groundwork Thomas laid. He is undoubtedly a capable attorney, but for a client navigating a stressful legal scenario, more proactive communication and clearer expectation setting on response times would have significantly elevated the experience.