Judge Darren McElfresh: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Del Norte County Superior Court, Department 1

CA Bar #: 188007 (June 1997)

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Darren McElfresh is a judge for the Del Norte County Superior Court in California. McElfresh was elected to the bench in 2014[1].

While on the bench, his leadership roles have included service as assistant presiding judge and presiding judge[2][3]. McElfresh has also participated in a diversion program with the Yurok Tribe that has used cultural activities and community responsibilities to address low-level offenses by tribal members[4].

Educational background

McElfresh earned a B.A. from the University of Southern California in 1991. At the University of San Diego School of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1996. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 1997).

Career history

After his admission to the bar, McElfresh opened a sole practice (1997 to 1999)[1]. McElfresh then became a partner at Cochran and McElfresh (1999 to 2003)[1]. Following that role, he served as a deputy district attorney for Del Norte County from 2003 to 2004[1].

From 2004 to 2008, McElfresh was chief executive officer of the Del Norte County Local Agency Formation Commission[1]. Alongside that work, he again practiced on his own from 2004 until taking office in 2015[1].

His professional service has included past presidency of the Del Norte County Bar Association[1]. He also served on the board of trustees of the Del Norte County Law Library.

Personal life

Outside the courtroom, McElfresh's civic work has included service as a past president of Rotary International. In his younger years, McElfresh competed in five U.S. National Amateur and Professional Cycling Championships[1].

McElfresh is registered as a Republican.

References

[1] Daily Journal — Darren McElfresh
[2] Del Norte County Superior Court — Judicial Assignments
[3] California Roster (2015)
[4] Jefferson Public Radio — Courts in California Hope Engagement With Tribal Culture Can Keep Members Out of Jail

Recent Cases by Hon. Darren McElfresh

ROBERT BURCHELL vs. SAFE COAST SEAFOODS, LLC

On May 19, 2026 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

May 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

May 19, 2026

JG WENTWORTH ORIGINATIONS, LLC & VAN ARSDALE, CHRISTOPHER

On May 14, 2026 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

May 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

May 14, 2026

MORGAN LEE SCHMIDT vs. BRYCE DANIEL SCOTT

On April 16, 2026 a family law/support case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Apr 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Family Law/Support

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

General Family

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 21, 2026

FRYMER, SHARON LOUISE VS. DAVIS, DANIEL LEE

On March 6, 2026 a civil pet: harassment (43) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Mar 06, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Pet: Harassment (43)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 06, 2026

LUTE, ADAM D. VS THOMAS, CLIFTON R.

On March 6, 2026 a civil pet: harassment (43) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Mar 06, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Pet: Harassment (43)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 06, 2026

POPHAM, CONSTANCE RAE VS. WICK, GARRETT LEE

On February 25, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Feb 25, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Elder Abuse

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 25, 2026

J.G. WENTWORTH ORIGINATIONS, LLC VS. VAN ARSDALE, CHRISTOPHER

On February 20, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 26, 2026

BROCK, TRAVIS WYNE vs.

On February 13, 2026 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2026

PANERIO, CILICIA THERESA VS. COLLINS, JENNIFER REBECCA

On January 28, 2026 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Jan 28, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 28, 2026

SWAN, FRANK LEON VS. CAMPBELL, KERRY

On January 12, 2026 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Jan 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 12, 2026

RANDALL ZOPF VS ANDREW SANTANA

On January 5, 2026 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Jan 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Jan 06, 2026

MOORE, MICHELLE LEANN VS. VAUGHAN, WILLIAM (WILL)

On December 3, 2025 a case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Dec 03, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Dec 03, 2025

MCDONALD, JOSHUA VS. MENANNO, JOHN ANTHONY

On November 18, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Nov 18, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Nov 18, 2025

GOKEY, JONATHON VS. WIER, TREVOR

On October 21, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2025

GOKEY, JONATHON BRANSON VS. RABY, KAYDINZ (AKA WIER)

On October 21, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2025

GOKEY, JONATHON VS. BROWN, ARON

On October 21, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2025

QUIVEY, PATRICK EVERETT VS. TAYLOR, MATTHEW

On October 16, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2025

WHITE, LISA DIANNE VS. GOODWIN, KEVIN TRACY

On September 23, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Sep 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 23, 2025

JUST, DEREK VS. BERTOLINI, TRACY

On September 17, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Sep 17, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 17, 2025

GANAN, KEAN S. VS. MOLDER, CYNTHIA LORRAINE

On September 12, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Sep 12, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 13, 2025

PENNY, MARGARET VS. WARD, DAN

On September 10, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Sep 10, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 11, 2025

MARSHALL, DONALD PHILIP VS. GODLA, JOESPH

On September 2, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Sep 02, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2025

JUNEAU, RICHARD C., VS. LELO, RICHARD

On August 28, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Aug 28, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Harassment

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 28, 2025

IN RE PETITION OF: JG WENTWORTH ORIGINATIONS, LLC & CHRISTOPHER VAN ARSDALE

On August 26, 2025 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Del Norte County. Judge Darren McElfresh presiding.

Filed

Aug 26, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Darren McElfresh 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Darren McElfresh

Court

Superior Court of California

County

Del Norte County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 02, 2025

About

Darren McElfresh
Current Appointment Del Norte County Superior Court, Department 1	Del Norte County Superior Court, Department 1
Education B.A., University of Southern California - 1991 J.D., University of San Diego School of Law - 1996	B.A., University of Southern California - 1991 J.D., University of San Diego School of Law - 1996