Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff (Retired): Comprehensive Profile - Analytics, Rulings, and Recent Cases

CA Bar #: 142025 (December 1989)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Mitchell L. Beckloff (Ret.) was a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. Beckloff was appointed to the bench by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in May 2007, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Judson Morris[1]. He retired on April 5, 2024, becoming a mediator, arbitrator, judge pro tem, and judicial and discovery referee with Signature Resolution.

While on the bench, Beckloff served as supervising judge of the Probate Division from 2009 to 2014[2]. His later assignments included service in a general-jurisdiction civil trial department from 2014 to 2018[2]. From August to December 2015, he also served on temporary assignment as a justice pro tem of the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division Seven[2]. He then served as supervising judge of the West District from 2016 to 2018 and sat in the Writs and Receivers Department from 2018 until retirement[2].

Beckloff presided over the probate estate of entertainer Michael Jackson[2]. He also handled the trust of Herbalife founder Mark Hughes[2]. In 2015, he granted the State Bar of California's request to send a whistleblower suit filed by its former executive director, Joe Dunn, to arbitration[3]. He later oversaw an environmental challenge to the decommissioning plan for the San Onofre nuclear power plant[2]. Beckloff also heard a constitutional challenge arising from Los Angeles County's decision to return Bruce's Beach to the heirs of its original owners[2].

Educational background

Beckloff earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1983. At Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, he completed a J.D. in 1989, graduating magna cum laude[2]. During law school, Beckloff held a dean's academic merit full-tuition scholarship and received nine American Jurisprudence Awards[2]. He also earned the Bancroft-Whitney Academic Achievement Award and served as an editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review[2]. Beckloff was inducted into the Order of the Coif, Alpha Sigma Nu, and the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society[2]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1989).

Career history

After graduating from law school, Beckloff began his legal career as an associate at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP (1989 to 1992), then known as Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro, where he worked on bankruptcy and corporate matters[2]. During the same period, he also served as a panelist for continuing legal education programs. He next joined Auxiliary Legal Services, Inc. (1992 to 1994), handling dependency matters involving child neglect and abuse[2]. In 1994, Beckloff entered private practice as a founding partner of Groman & Beckloff (1994 to 1997), a firm centered on child custody litigation[2]. Following that role, he maintained the Law Offices of Mitchell Beckloff (1997 to 1999)[2].

He joined the Los Angeles County Superior Court in 1998 as a referee[2]. In 2001, Beckloff became a court commissioner and remained in that position until joining the bench[2].

Beckloff's professional activities included teaching students at Southwestern Law School and judges through the Center for Judicial Education and Research[2]. He received the Pasadena Bar Association's Judge of the Year Award in 2012[2]. In 2018, he received the Outstanding Community Service Award from LevittQuinn Family Law Center[4].

Personal life

Beckloff was born in Hawaii, where his father worked as a physician[2]. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to California[2].

In ADR work, Beckloff focused in mediation on getting to know the parties and listening to their accounts of the dispute[5]. He described arbitration as a more formal forum[5].

Beckloff is registered as a Democrat[1].

References

[1] Ballotpedia Profile
[2] Daily Journal — A Helping Hand
[3] Metropolitan News-Enterprise — End Year 2015
[4] LevittQuinn Family Law Center — 2018 Stand for Justice Gala
[5] PFAC Meeting Speaker Profile

Recent Rulings by Hon. Mitchell L. Beckloff

Recent Cases by Hon. Mitchell L. Beckloff

On August 19, 2026 a landlord-tenant - habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 19, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Habitability

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 19, 2026

On August 16, 2026 a landlord-tenant - breach of warranty of habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 16, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Breach of Warranty of Habitability

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 16, 2026

On June 4, 2026 a landlord-tenant - habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 04, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Habitability

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Landlord-Tenant

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 04, 2026

On June 3, 2026 a landlord-tenant - habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 03, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Habitability

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 03, 2026

On June 2, 2026 a landlord-tenant - habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 02, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Habitability

Case Last Refreshed

Jun 02, 2026

On May 6, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

May 06, 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

Sep 25, 2026

On April 30, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 30, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 29, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 29, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 28, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 28, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 23, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 23, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 22, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 22, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 21, 2026 an other writ /judicial review (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 21, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Writ /Judicial Review (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 16, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 16, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 16, 2026 a landlord-tenant - habitability case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 16, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Habitability

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 16, 2026

On April 15, 2026 a landlord-tenant - breach of contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 15, 2026

Court

Los Angeles County

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Landlord-Tenant - Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Apr 15, 2026

On April 15, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 15, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 14, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 14, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2026

On April 13, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 13, 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

Sep 29, 2026

On April 10, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 10, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 10, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 10, 2026

Status

Want of Prosecution

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 9, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 09, 2026

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 7, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 07, 2026

Status

Active

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On April 7, 2026 a writ - administrative mandamus (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

Filed

Apr 07, 2026

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Administrative Mandamus (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Jul 24, 2026

On April 6, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 06, 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

Sep 25, 2026