Judge Richard S. Kemalyan: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department SMC - 732

CA Bar #: 69066 (June 1976)

Appointed By: Gov. Arnold A. Schwarzenegger

Biography

The Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California. He was appointed to the bench in 2006 by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He filled the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Michael Farrell (Ret.).


He is a registered Republican.


Judge Kemalyan received his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1972. He went on to earn his J.D. from Loyola Law School in 1975.


After graduating from law school, Kemalyan joined the Los Angeles law firm of Chase, Rotchford, Drukker, and Bogust in 1976 first as an associate and then as a partner. He practiced for the firm for twenty years, until leaving in 1996 to become a partner at Kemalyan and Richland. In 2000 he became a partner for Dwyer, Daly, Brotzen, and Bruno. Kemalyan remained with the firm until his appointment to the Superior Court in 2006. During his time as a civil litigator, Kemalyan specialized in the representation of law enforcement agencies and officers involved in unlawful searches and excessive force cases. He also served as outside counsel for the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.


In 1995 the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department awarded Kemalyan with their Lawyer of the Year Award.


Judge Kemalyan has been a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Recent Cases by Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan

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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 23, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 22, 2026 an eminent domain/condemnation (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Eminent Domain/Condemnation (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

On October 21, 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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 21, 2026

On October 21, 2026 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

On October 20, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 20, 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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 21, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an insurance coverage (not complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Insurance Coverage (not complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

On October 20, 2026 an insurance coverage (not complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Insurance Coverage (not complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

On October 19, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 21, 2026

On October 19, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 19, 2026

On October 16, 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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 16, 2026 an insurance coverage/subrogation (complex case only) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Insurance Coverage/Subrogation (complex case only) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Insurance

Matter Type

Insurance Coverage

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 16, 2026 an intentional conduct - sexual abuse case (in any form) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Intentional Conduct - Sexual Abuse Case (in any form) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

On October 15, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

On October 15, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Contractual Fraud (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Contractual Fraud

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 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 Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

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 15, 2026

On October 14, 2026 a fraud (no contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Fraud (no contract) (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

On October 14, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Richard S. Kemalyan presiding.

1 File
Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Richard S. Kemalyan Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Richard S. Kemalyan

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint Case (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026