Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department SMC - 316

Appointed By: Gov. Gavin C. Newsom

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Andrew A. Esbenshade is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. Esbenshade was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 18, 2023, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Steven Kleifield[1].

Educational background

Esbenshade earned a B.A. from Williams College[2]. At the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1998[2]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (1999)[2].

Career history

After graduating from law school, Esbenshade served as a judicial law clerk to Mariana Pfaelzer at the United States District Court for the Central District of California (1998 to 1999)[2]. He then joined Caldwell Leslie & Proctor PC as an associate (1999 to 2003)[2]. In 2003, he became a partner there and remained until 2017[2]. Thereafter, Esbenshade practiced as a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP (2017 to 2020)[2]. In 2020, he moved to Durie Tangri LLP, where he remained until 2022[2]. During 2023, Esbenshade practiced as a partner at Morrison & Foerster LLP[2].

In private practice, his work included complex civil litigation, white-collar criminal matters, and trade secret cases[3]. He also handled class actions, securities litigation, and general litigation matters[3]. From 2013 through 2024, Esbenshade was selected to Super Lawyers[3].

Personal life

Esbenshade's father, Richard D. Esbenshade, was a lawyer and a founding partner of Munger, Tolles & Olson[4]. Esbenshade said that his father emphasized family, work-life balance, and the importance of enjoying one's colleagues[4].

Esbenshade is registered as a Democrat[2].

References

[1] Governor of California Press Release (August 18, 2023)
[2] Ballotpedia — Andrew Esbenshade
[3] Super Lawyers profile
[4] Daily Journal — Dick Esbenshade, 1929–2021

Recent Cases by Hon. Andrew A. Esbenshade

On October 23, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Product Liability ? Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act¿(Lemon Law) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contract/Warranty Breach - Seller Plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other non-personal injury/property damage/wrongful death tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 a negligent breach of contract/warranty (no fraud) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Negligent Breach of Contract/Warranty (no fraud) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Negligent Breach

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 20, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Motor Vehicle - Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other promissory note/collections (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Promissory Note/Collections (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Breach of Contract/Warranty (not fraud or negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other non-personal injury/property damage/wrongful death tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death Tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On October 16, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a petition to compel/confirm/vacate arbitration award (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Petition to Compel/Confirm/Vacate Arbitration Award (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Arbitration

Matter Type

General Arbitration

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 17, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a breach of rental/lease contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Breach of Rental/Lease Contract (not unlawful detainer or wrongful eviction) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 an other contract dispute (not breach/insurance/fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Contract Dispute (not breach/insurance/fraud/negligence) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

General Insurance

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 14, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Real Property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

On October 14, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Andrew A. Esbenshade presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026