Judge Shelley L. Kaufman: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

CA Bar #: 100696 (December 1981)

Appointed By: Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr.

Biography

Overview

The Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman is a judge for the Los Angeles County Superior Court in California[1]. Kaufman was appointed to the bench by former Governor Jerry Brown on December 27, 2013, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. Philip H. Hickok[2].

Since January 17, 2014, her assignments have included family law matters at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse[3]. Kaufman has served as supervising judge of the Family Law Division[3].

Educational background

Kaufman earned a B.A. from Pitzer College. At Southwestern Law School, she completed a J.D. in 1981[4]. She was admitted to the State Bar of California (December 1981).

Career history

After law school, Kaufman began her legal career at the Law Offices of Edwin K. Marzec (1981 to 1983). She then worked as an attorney at The Burbank Studios (1983 to 1985). In parallel with that position, Kaufman served as an attorney at Levy Ansell & Goldman (1984 to 1985). By 1986, she transitioned to Karp & Mooney (1986 to 1988).

Following those roles, Kaufman maintained a private practice (1989 to 1996). In 1997, she joined Geragos & Geragos (1997 to 2013) as a senior attorney and partner. Her work there included civil litigation in state and federal courts. At the firm, she represented civil litigants and criminal defendants[4].

Her professional affiliations have included service on the Women's Caucus of Consumer Attorneys of California.

Personal life

Kaufman speaks French. In discussing family-law work, she said that litigants often arrived in court with their lives in upheaval[3]. A 2026 profile described her approach as focused on practical outcomes and accessibility for litigants[3].

Kaufman is registered as a Democrat.

References

[1] California Courts — Judges Roster
[2] Governor of California Press Release (December 27, 2013)
[3] Daily Journal — Judicial Profile
[4] Beverly Hills Bar Association Speaker Profile

Recent Cases by Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman

On August 12, 2026 a writ - mandamus on limited court case matter (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Aug 12, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Writ - Mandamus on Limited Court Case Matter (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Administrative

Matter Type

Writs

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

On August 5, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Aug 05, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 29, 2026

On July 9, 2026 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Jul 09, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2026

On June 17, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jun 17, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 28, 2026

On June 4, 2026 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Jun 04, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Sep 23, 2026

On May 15, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

May 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 29, 2026

On May 8, 2026 an other complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

May 08, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Other Complaint (non-tort/non-complex) (General Jurisdiction)

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 30, 2026

On April 29, 2026 a civil rights/discrimination (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Apr 29, 2026

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Civil Rights/Discrimination (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Intentional Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 16, 2026

On April 2, 2026 a labor commissioner appeals (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Apr 02, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Labor Commissioner Appeals (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Labor and Employment

Matter Type

General Labor

Case Last Refreshed

Aug 29, 2026

On March 5, 2026 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Mar 05, 2026

Status

Consolidation

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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 February 27, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Feb 27, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 27, 2026

On January 26, 2026 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jan 26, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 27, 2026

On January 15, 2026 a quiet title (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Jan 15, 2026

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Quiet Title (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Quiet Title

Case Last Refreshed

Sep 29, 2026

On December 23, 2025 an other breach of contract/warranty (not fraud or negligence) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Dec 23, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

On November 13, 2025 a contractual fraud (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Nov 13, 2025

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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 October 20, 2025 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Sep 22, 2026

On September 24, 2025 a dissolution w/o minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Sep 24, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Dissolution w/o Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 08, 2026

On July 25, 2025 a dissolution w/ minor children (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Jul 25, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Dissolution w/ Minor Children (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 07, 2026

On June 10, 2025 a motor vehicle - personal injury/property damage/wrongful death (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

6 Files
Filed

Jun 10, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Sep 07, 2026

On June 4, 2025 a product liability ? song-beverly consumer warranty act¿(lemon law) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

5 Files
Filed

Jun 04, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Sep 24, 2026

On March 3, 2025 a fraud (no contract) (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

1 File
Filed

Mar 03, 2025

Status

Active

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Sep 27, 2026

On February 18, 2025 an other employment complaint case (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

2 Files
Filed

Feb 18, 2025

Status

Voluntary Dismissal

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

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

Aug 26, 2026

On January 22, 2025 a release of confidential marriage license/certificate (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Jan 22, 2025

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Release of Confidential Marriage License/Certificate (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Divorce,Separation

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 08, 2026

On January 16, 2025 a petition for change of name/change of gender (general jurisdiction) case was filed in the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Judge Shelley L. Kaufman presiding.

Filed

Jan 16, 2025

Status

Other

Judge

Hon. Shelley L. Kaufman Trellis Spinner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Shelley L. Kaufman

Court

Superior

County

Los Angeles County, CA

Court Category

Petition for Change of Name/Change of Gender (General Jurisdiction)

Practice Area

Family

Matter Type

Name Change

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 08, 2026