Judge Michael Lief - Professional Background & Legal Expertise

Biography

The Hon. Michael S. Lief is a judge for the Ventura County Superior Court in California. He was elected to the bench on June 3, 2014. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. James Cloninger (Ret.).

Lief is a United States Navy veteran. He served as a submarine radioman aboard the USS Blueback and the USS New Jersey battleships. He was honorably discharged in 1985, having reached the rank of petty officer second class. He later became a captain in the JAG Corps of the California State Military Reserve.

Judge Lief graduated with his B.A. in political science from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey in 1989. After graduating from college, he worked as the editor for the New Jersey Herald. He then went on to earn his J.D. from Pepperdine School of Law in 1995.

Lief began his legal career as an attorney in the legal department at Marvel Animation.

Then, in 1996, he became a deputy district attorney for the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. While in that capacity, Lief prosecuted misdemeanor, DUI, theft, vandalism and battery cases. He would become a senior deputy district attorney in 2001, during which time he served as the D.A.'s representative to the Ventura County Mental Health Court from 2007 to 2012. His responsibilities there included the review and ultimate appointment of defendants to participate in a multi-agency program designed to provide mental health treatment in an effort to stem potential recidivism. He also helped to spearhead the Ventura County Veterans Court.

Lief is a prolific author. He co-wrote several books, one of which was made into a major motion picture. All of the books are written on the subject of famous closing arguments.

During his time on the Superior Court, he presided over the family law calendar.

Recent Cases by Hon. Michael Lief

2024CUPT022554 MARIA GUADALUPE LOPEZ MATA vs NELSON LOPEZ

On March 26, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

2024CUPT022589 SHATHA BAKIR vs JANICE OCHOA

On March 26, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 26, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

2024CUHR022520 JACK LEVENSON vs JEFFREY SALVATORE

On March 25, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 25, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2024

2024CUPT022358 ELIZABETH ANN MEDEARIS vs HENRY BOWMAN

On March 21, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 21, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2024

2024CUPT022066 JULIO ROBLES, JR. vs RUTH KIM BAIRD

On March 18, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 18, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021944 ALICIA BEDOLLA SILVA vs SIMON TRUJILLO

On March 15, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 15, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021938 ALICIA BEDOLLA SILVA vs ANNETTE PLASCENCIA

On March 14, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 14, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021841 GLORIA JEAN TRESIERRAS vs ANA BEATRIZ RODRIGUEZ

On March 13, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 13, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021761 DENNIS GERARD LAMB vs ROBERT CLARENCE WILEY, III

On March 12, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 12, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021635 COLLEEN ORTIZ vs CHANEL QUESADA

On March 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 08, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 09, 2024

2024CUPT021673 MA ASUNCION CHUA vs ROSALIE TUQUIERO

On March 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 08, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2024

2024CUPT021349 SALVADOR RAMIREZ MORALES vs ROBERTO HERNANDEZ RAMIREZ

On March 4, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 04, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 26, 2024

2024CUPT021299 YOLANDA CHAVEZ RUIZ vs JESSE CHAVEZ POSADAS

On March 1, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Mar 01, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 26, 2024

2024CUPT021180 PHYLLIS PITTELLO vs OLIVIA SAVAGE

On February 29, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 29, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 26, 2024

2024CUPT021187 EARLIE JONES vs SCOTTIE TRIPP

On February 29, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 29, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 26, 2024

2024CUPT020960 STEPHEN ORIN vs BENJAMIN ORIN

On February 23, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 23, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2024

2024CUPT020991 BONNIE MAE BURTNESS vs JACOB ORION FRANCOISE

On February 23, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 23, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2024

2024CUPT020813 SHIRLEY CAGE vs SARAH CAGE

On February 20, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 19, 2024

2024CUPT020769 LLOYD FREEMAN vs NATALIE VALENZUELA

On February 16, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2024

2024CUPT020390 NICHOLAS OATWAY vs DEVIN NEIL OATWAY

On February 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 05, 2024

2024CUPT020391 CHARLES SALVATORE vs BREANN SALVATORE- ANDREWS

On February 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

2024CUPT020409 JESSE GANN vs JERRY PISANO

On February 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 12, 2024

2024CUPT020398 CHARLES SALVATORE vs JACK LEVINSON

On February 8, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 08, 2024

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 23, 2024

2024CUPT020103 MERCEDITA DE LA CRUZ vs MELINDA SHEIRS

On February 1, 2024 a civil unlimited case was filed in the jurisdiction of Ventura County. Judge Michael Lief presiding.

Filed

Feb 01, 2024

Status

Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Michael Lief 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Michael Lief

Court

Superior

County

Ventura County, CA

Case #

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Category

Civil Unlimited

Case Last Refreshed

Mar 12, 2024

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About

Michael Lief
Current Appointment Ventura County Superior Court, Department 32	Ventura County Superior Court, Department 32
Education B.A., Drew University - 1989 J.D., Pepperdine School of Law - 1995	B.A., Drew University - 1989 J.D., Pepperdine School of Law - 1995

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Ventura County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (805) 289-8900
Family Law:	+1 (805) 289-8545

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Submarine Radioman	United States Navy	None
Day Editor	New Jersey Herald	Sussex County, New Jersey
Attorney	Marvel Animation	None
Deputy District Attorney	Ventura County District Attorney’s Office	Ventura County, California
Senior Deputy District Attorney	Ventura County District Attorney’s Office	Ventura County, California