Judge Frank M. Tavelman: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 160955 (December 1992)

Appointed By: Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Frank M. Tavelman is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California[1]. Tavelman was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on December 5, 2013[2].

Educational background

Tavelman graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge, with a B.S. in finance and real estate and a minor in economics[1]. At Southwestern Law School, he completed a J.D. in 1992[1]. He attended on a partial scholarship. After college, he worked as a commercial lending officer for Mitsui Bank before entering law school[1]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1992).

Career history

After completing law school, Tavelman began his legal career as corporate counsel at The Capital Group Companies, Inc. (1992 to 1998)[1]. During his six years there, he advised the company on real estate, contract negotiations, pensions, and retirement plans. While serving in that role, Tavelman attended the Los Angeles Police Academy. He then joined the Los Angeles Police Department as a reserve police officer and continued that volunteer service during his years in practice.

In 1999, he joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office as a deputy district attorney[1]. In 2006, Tavelman was assigned to the office's Crimes Against Peace Officers Section[1]. He remained in that assignment until his appointment to the bench.

Personal life

Tavelman is a native of Los Angeles[1]. Outside the courtroom, he founded Hollywood PAL, a program aimed at helping children stay out of trouble. He served as its director.

Tavelman is registered as a Democrat[3].

References

[1] Daily Journal — Judicial Profile
[2] Governor of California Press Release (December 5, 2013)
[3] Ballotpedia — Frank M. Tavelman

Recent Cases by Hon. Frank M. Tavelman

On October 26, 2026 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

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

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 28, 2026

On October 26, 2026 a collections-purchased debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after january 1, 2014) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Collections-Purchased Debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after January 1, 2014) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 27, 2026

On October 26, 2026 a premise liability (e.g., dangerous conditions of property, slip/trip and fall, dog attack, etc.) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Premise Liability (e.g., dangerous conditions of property, slip/trip and fall, dog attack, etc.) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Premises Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 27, 2026

On October 26, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 27, 2026

On October 26, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 27, 2026

On October 23, 2026 a collections-purchased debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after january 1, 2014) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Collections-Purchased Debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after January 1, 2014) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 26, 2026

On October 23, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 24, 2026

On October 23, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 24, 2026

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 Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 22, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 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 Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 24, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a petition for change of name/change of gender (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Petition for Change of Name/Change of Gender (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a personal injury/property damage/wrongful death - uninsured motorist (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death - Uninsured Motorist (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a premise liability (e.g., dangerous conditions of property, slip/trip and fall, dog attack, etc.) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Premise Liability (e.g., dangerous conditions of property, slip/trip and fall, dog attack, etc.) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Premises Liability

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a personal injury/property damage/wrongful death - uninsured motorist (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death - Uninsured Motorist (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 21, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 22, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a collections-purchased debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after january 1, 2014) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Collections-Purchased Debt (charged off consumer debt purchased on or after January 1, 2014) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

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 Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 21, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 21, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 21, 2026 a petition for change of name/change of gender (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Petition for Change of Name/Change of Gender (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 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 Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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 20, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Frank M. Tavelman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Frank M. Tavelman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Frank M. Tavelman

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