Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department 028

CA Bar #: 176365 (June 1995)

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

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California[1]. Byrdsong was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on June 18, 2014, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Dewey Lawes Falcone[2].

His judicial assignments have included traffic arraignments, traffic trials, and a misdemeanor arraignment and trial calendar at the Metropolitan Courthouse[3]. In 2017, Byrdsong was assigned to the Complex Civil Department. There, he handled and coordinated all asbestos cases in Los Angeles County and became the first African American judge assigned to that department[3]. By February 2021, he had been assigned to an unlimited-jurisdiction individual calendar at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse[4]. He was elected the ninetieth president of the California Judges Association for a one-year term that began on October 1, 2021[4].

Educational background

Byrdsong graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, in 1991[3]. While at Morehouse, he was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa[3]. At Vanderbilt University Law School, Nashville, Tennessee, he completed a J.D. in 1994[3]. During law school, he served on the Executive Board of the Black Law Students Association, belonged to Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, and worked as a research assistant on employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and civil rights issues[3]. Before bar admission, he served as a law clerk at Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt in Los Angeles County, California, from 1994 to 1995[3]. He was admitted to the State Bar of California (June 1995).

Career history

After his admission to the bar, Byrdsong became an associate at Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt (1995 to 2001). Early in that role, he handled civil rights matters for the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, including police misconduct, excessive force, and false arrest cases[3]. In 2001, he became a partner at the same firm (2001 to 2014). He later led the firm's employment litigation practice, handling claims of sexual harassment, race discrimination, wrongful termination, and disability, religion, and age discrimination in state and federal courts[3].

His professional affiliations have included founding membership in the Association of African American California Judicial Officers, lifetime membership and past board service in the California Association of Black Lawyers, and lifetime membership in the John M. Langston Bar Association, where he served as president in 2006[5]. He also served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California's Labor and Employment Section from 2003 to 2007 and on the Los Angeles County Bar Association's Labor and Employment Executive and Saturday Seminar committees[5]. His recognitions included selection as a Southern California Super Lawyer from 2010 to 2014 and as a Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star from 2005 to 2008[5]. In 2006, the Daily Journal included him among its "Ones to Watch" employment lawyers in the greater Los Angeles area[5]. In 2012, the National Bar Association and IMPACT named him to Nation's Best Advocates: Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 and presented him with an Excellence in Leadership award[5].

Personal life

Byrdsong was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at age two[3]. Raised in Nashville, he graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic High School in 1987[3].

Outside the courtroom, his service has included teaching pre-trial litigation at the University of West Los Angeles Law School, serving on the faculty of Harvard Law School's Trial Advocacy Workshop, and mentoring young lawyers[6]. He enjoys cooking, reading, and playing basketball.

Byrdsong is registered as a Democrat[1].

References

[1] Ballotpedia — Rupert A. Byrdsong
[2] Governor of California Press Release (June 18, 2014)
[3] HBCU Connect profile
[4] Metropolitan News-Enterprise
[5] LACBA — Black History Month Honorees
[6] Advocate Magazine — Writer Profile

Recent Cases by Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong

PEDRO CUELLAR TREJO, ET AL. VS RICARDO AVILA MONTANO

On October 22, 2026 a personal injury/property damage/wrongful death - uninsured motorist (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Personal Injury/Property Damage/Wrongful Death - Uninsured Motorist (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

JOSHUA RAYSHON LITTLE, AN INDIVIDUAL;, ET AL. VS NICHOLAS S. CANNON, AN INDIVIDUAL

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

NINA KNIGHT VS GOOGLE, LLC., A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ET AL.

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

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

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Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

MALU CHAKKALAPARAMBIL, AN INDIVIDUAL VS ALONDRA GUADALUPE RIVERA, AN INDIVIDUAL

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

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Court

Superior

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Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

CUSTOMERS BANK, A PENNSYLVANIA STATE CHARTERED BANK VS 5331 SLAUSON, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

On October 21, 2026 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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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 22, 2026

VUKMAN GUBERINIC VS VISTA ASSOCIATES, INC., ET AL.

On October 21, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

ALT RECEIVABLES, LLC VS CERTAIN STATUTORILY DEFINED INTERESTED PARTIES

On October 21, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

CAROLYN LEE COMICK, AN INDIVIDUAL VS JOHN DOE, AN INDIVIDUAL

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR COLT 2024-4 MORTGAGE VS NOVASTAR INVESTMENTS LLC., A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, ET AL.

On October 20, 2026 a mortgage foreclosure (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

Mortgage Foreclosure (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

OWNER TENANT JOVANNI C. DAVIDSON VS COMPANY FOUNDATION OF NATIONAL HEATH EMPLOYEES

On October 19, 2026 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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court 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

Oct 19, 2026

MARGARET PULLEY VS HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA, A CORPORATION

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

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

Practice Area

Consumer

Matter Type

General Consumer

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

HECTOR CORTES VS THE ANTELOPE VALLEY BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

On October 19, 2026 an other employment complaint (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Other Employment Complaint (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Employment

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

WESTFIELD TOPANGA OWNER LLC, A DELAWARE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY VS THE ONE, A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION, DOING BUSINESS AS THE ONE MIND BODY, ET AL.

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

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 20, 2026

LVNV ASSISTANCE, LLC VS CERTAIN STATUTORILY DEFINED INTERESTED PARTIES

On October 19, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

ARMENAK ATUMYAN VS DANYLA NAZAROV

On October 16, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

RAUL RUVALCABA VS CERRITOS 3802 INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

On October 16, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

SHERRI DARVISH VS GENERAL MOTORS, LLC

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

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

ISMAEL AGUILAR, AN INDIVIDUAL VS TRIFECTA, ET AL.

On October 16, 2026 a wrongful termination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

Wrongful Termination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

Wrongful Termination

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

DEAN C LOGAN VS FOX NEWS NETWORK, LLC, ET AL.

On October 16, 2026 an other civil petition (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

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Court Category

Other Civil Petition (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 19, 2026

LOIS CAPIN ESFORMES VS JOSEPH ESFORMES, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH ESFORMES, ET AL.

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

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 15, 2026

DRUCILA GUERRA-BENITEZ VS PERSPECTIVE SPACE, LLC, ET AL.

On October 15, 2026 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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court 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

Oct 15, 2026

MARY MILBRAND VS TRACY SILVER, ET AL.

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 Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

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 15, 2026

YE JIN NAM VS ARYAN TAPANG, ET AL.

On October 14, 2026 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

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

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

EFRAIN LOPEZ VS GIOVANNA HITE, AS COURT APPOINTED CO-TRUSTEES OF THE GIOVANNA M. BILLOTTI REVOCABLE TRUST, DATED SEPTEMBER 15, 1995, ET AL.

On October 14, 2026 an other real property (not eminent domain, landlord/tenant, foreclosure) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Rupert A. Byrdsong presiding.

1 File

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

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

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Foreclosure

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

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About

Rupert A. Byrdsong
Current Appointment Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department 028	Los Angeles County Superior Court, Department 028
Education B.A., Morehouse College - 1991 J.D., Vanderbilt Law School - 1994	B.A., Morehouse College - 1991 J.D., Vanderbilt Law School - 1994

Documents related to Rupert A. Byrdsong

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	CA - Los Angeles County Superior Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (213) 633-0528

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Associate	Ivie, McNeill and Wyatt	Los Angeles County, California
Partner	Ivie, McNeill and Wyatt	Los Angeles County, California
Judge	Superior Court of California	Los Angeles County, California
Clerk	Ivie, McNeill and Wyatt	Los Angeles County, California