Judge Jeffery D. McFarland: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department SMC - 617

Appointed By: Gov. Gavin C. Newsom

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Jeffery D. McFarland is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California[1]. McFarland was appointed to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 13, 2024, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Donna Groman[2].

His assignments have included general civil matters in the Civil Division of the Stanley Mosk Courthouse[3]. In 2026, McFarland ruled in litigation involving singer-songwriter Blackbear that some claims could proceed, including civil theft and harassment, while dismissing others[4].

Educational background

McFarland earned a B.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University in 1986. At the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, he completed a J.D. in 1991. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (1992).

Career history

After graduating from law school, McFarland began his legal career as an associate at Brobeck Phleger & Harrison LLP (1991 to 1995). In 1995, he moved to Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP (1995 to 1998) as an associate. He then became a principal at Troop Steuber Pasich Reddick & Tobey LLP (1998 to 2000). At Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP (2000 to 2020), McFarland focused on entertainment law, representing studios, production companies, television networks, video game publishers, and talent.

He later served as a partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP (2020 to 2021), McKool Smith LLP (2021 to 2023), and Eisner LLP (2023 to 2024).

Personal life

McFarland is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] Los Angeles Superior Court Judicial Directory
[2] Governor of California Press Release (December 13, 2024)
[3] Los Angeles Superior Court Notice — Judicial Assignment Changes
[4] MyNewsLA — Blackbear Appeals Ruling Allowing Some Claims by Accuser to Proceed

Recent Cases by Hon. Jeffery D. McFarland

On October 22, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 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 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 Jeffery D. McFarland 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 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland 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 21, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 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 23, 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 Jeffery D. McFarland 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 20, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 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 20, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 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 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 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 21, 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 Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 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 20, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 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 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 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 22, 2026

On October 19, 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 Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 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 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 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 19, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 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 16, 2026

On October 16, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 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 19, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 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 20, 2026

On October 16, 2026 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 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 19, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 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 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 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 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 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 16, 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 Jeffery D. McFarland 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 14, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 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 14, 2026

On October 14, 2026 an other promissory note/collections (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Jeffery D. McFarland presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 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 15, 2026