Longtime Instructor at Whittier Law School Dead at 59
Thomas A. Diamond, one of the longest-serving faculty members at Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa, died last week at his home in Topanga. He was 59 and had been battling cancer.
Diamond joined the law school in 1977, teaching arbitration as well as tort, administrative and contract law. He also served as associate dean in 1978.
He was remembered by colleagues for his dry wit and interest in animal rights, the environment and helping students. “He was first and foremost an advocate for the students in every policy debate,” said Associate Dean Frederick G. Slabach.
Diamond was known for successfully arguing before the California Supreme Court that poor parents had the right to free legal representation when appealing court cases involving termination of parental rights. He argued the case in 1977 as an attorney for the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles.
Diamond earned his law degree at UCLA in 1965 and earned a second graduate degree in law from New York University in 1966.
His family has asked that any donations in his memory be made to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, 5001 Angel Canyon Drive, Kanab, UT 84741-5001.
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