Judge Michael C. Small: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 222768 (December 2002)

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

Biography

The Hon. Michael C. Small is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench by former governor Jerry Brown in 2015. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of Wendy L. Kohn.


He is a registered Democrat.


Judge Small graduated with his B.A. in history from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1982. He went on to earn his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1986. While in law school, Small served as the Editor-in-Chief for the Georgetown Law Journal.


After graduating from law school, Small became an associate at the Washington, D.C. law firm of Wilmer, Cutler, and Pickering in 1987. He practiced for the firm until 1993 when he joined the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel as an attorney. Small then joined the Attorney General's Office as a deputy assistant attorney general in 1996 where he practiced for one year.


In 1997 he began teaching constitutional law as a full-time visiting professor for the University of California, Los Angeles Law School. He taught at UCLA Law School for two years before joining the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California as their chief counsel in 1999.


Small practiced for the civil-rights union until 2000 when he became senior counsel for the Los Angeles law firm Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer, and Feld, LLP. During his time with the firm, Small resumed teaching at UCLA Law School, this time as an adjunct professor, where he taught from 2008 to 2013. He continued practicing for the law firm until his appointment to the Superior Court in 2015.

Recent Cases by Hon. Michael C. Small

On April 23, 2024 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 23, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

On April 22, 2024 an other non-personal injury/property damage tort (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 22, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Non-Personal Injury/Property Damage tort (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Personal Injury

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

On April 22, 2024 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 22, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

On April 22, 2024 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 22, 2024

On April 19, 2024 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 19, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 19, 2024 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 Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 19, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 19, 2024

On April 19, 2024 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 19, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 22, 2024

On April 18, 2024 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 18, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 18, 2024

On April 17, 2024 a contract/warranty breach - seller plaintiff (no fraud/negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 17, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 18, 2024

On April 17, 2024 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 17, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2024

On April 17, 2024 an other commercial/business tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 17, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Commercial/Business Tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 17, 2024

On April 17, 2024 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 17, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 18, 2024

On April 16, 2024 an unlawful detainer/residential (not drugs or wrongful eviction) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 16, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Unlawful Detainer/Residential (not drugs or wrongful eviction) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Unlawful Detainer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2024

On April 15, 2024 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 15, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 15, 2024

On April 12, 2024 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 12, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 12, 2024

On April 12, 2024 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 12, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 12, 2024

On April 12, 2024 an other promissory note/collections case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 12, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Promissory Note/Collections Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 12, 2024

On April 12, 2024 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 12, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 15, 2024

On April 11, 2024 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 11, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 11, 2024

On April 10, 2024 an other commercial/business tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 10, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Commercial/Business Tort (not fraud/ breach of contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 10, 2024

On April 10, 2024 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 Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 10, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

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

Apr 10, 2024

On April 10, 2024 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 10, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 11, 2024

On April 9, 2024 an other promissory note/collections case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

Other Promissory Note/Collections Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

On April 9, 2024 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Michael C. Small presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2024

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Michael C. Small Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael C. Small

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

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