Hon. Elizabeth R. Feffer (Ret.)

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Over the course of her 13 years of judicial service, Judge Feffer served in an unlimited jurisdiction civil independent calendar court for 6 years, a civil trial court for 3 years, and a family law court for 4 years. During that time, Judge Feffer presided over more than 75 civil jury trials, more than 500 civil bench trials, hundreds of evidentiary hearings, and numerous settlement conferences, with a diverse range of complex factual and legal issues. Judge Feffer has handled a wide array of cases, including employment litigation, professional liability, personal injury, elder abuse, products liability, business litigation and partnership disputes, real estate litigation, land use litigation, eminent domain, insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, and entertainment cases.

In addition to her civil court assignments, Judge Feffer served four years in the Family Law Division, where she presided over, and issued rulings on, thousands of cases involving all types of contested and complex family law subject matters, including business valuation, property valuation and characterization, validity of pre-marital agreements, child custody and support, and spousal support.

Judge Feffer is highly regarded for her thorough preparation and ability to connect with litigants, understanding and appreciating the conflicting perspectives involved in disputes. She is committed to working on matters until they are resolved to the satisfaction of the parties. Her patience, compassion, and dedication have helped establish her reputation as an even-handed and esteemed jurist.

Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Feffer served as a partner and trial lawyer litigating civil actions in state and federal court, on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants.

2007 – 2020     Judge of the Superior Court, Los Angeles

• Unlimited Jurisdiction Independent Calendar Civil Court, 2015-2020
• Civil Trial Court, 2012-2014
• Family Law Calendar Court, 2008-2012
• Criminal Calendar Court, 2007

• 1993    University of Southern California, Gould School of Law, Juris Doctor
• 1993    University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication, Master of Arts, Communications Management
• 1990    University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts, Communications Studies

• Business
• Elder Abuse
• Employment
• Family Law
• Insurance Coverage
• Legal Malpractice
• Medical Malpractice
• Partnership Disputes
• Personal Injury
• Real Estate and Land Use

• 2005 – 2007   Jones & Mayer, San Marino, California
• 1993 – 2004   Burke, Williams & Sorensen, LLP, Los Angeles, California

• State Bar of California
• State Bar of Arizona
• State Bar of Idaho
• Federal Court Admissions: Supreme Court of the United States; Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; United States District Court, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Arizona, and District of Idaho
• Los Angeles Superior Court: Bench-Bar Committee, Community Outreach Committee, Rules Committee, Security Committee, Lemon Law Task Force
• Civil Jury Project at New York University School of Law: Judicial Advisor
• State Bar of California Litigation Section: Executive Committee, Judicial Advisor
• Judicial Council of California’s Education Division / CJER: Judicial Branch Leadership Development Curriculum Committee, Online User Group, and Court Security Education Committee (Subject Matter Expert, Court Security). Co-author, Unofficial Benchguide, ‘Lemon Law Cases’
• California Judges Association: Civil Law & Policy Committee

Regularly engaged as a speaker and panelist on litigation-oriented topics for various associations including ABOTA, LACBA, CAALA, ASCDC, the State Bar of California, and the Civil Jury Project at NYU School of Law, Judge Feffer is well known for her eloquence, respectful and decisive judicial temperament, and exceptional legal knowledge.

For a complete list of Judge Feffer’s speaking engagements and publications, please visit her website at www.JudgeFeffer.com.

BUSINESS

• Commercial lease
• Breach of contract
• Contract interpretation
• Non-compete contracts
• Public works and public entity contracts (design defects and cost overruns)
• Construction defect
• Unfair and unlawful business practices (Business & Professions Code § 17200)
• Uniform Trade Secrets Act

ELDER ABUSE

• Physical abuse
• Neglect
• Financial abuse

EMPLOYMENT

• ADA compliance
• FEHA (Fair Employment and Housing Act)
• Workplace discrimination, harassment and retaliation based on age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, race, national origin, and religion
• Wrongful termination and constructive discharge

FAMILY LAW

• Child custody and visitation (including school selection issues and accommodating medical and educational needs of children who have special needs)
• Child support calculation
• Spousal support calculation and modification including for high income earners
• Premarital agreements
• Property characterization
• Property division
• Property valuation
• Business valuation (including goodwill)

INSURANCE COVERAGE 

LEGAL MALPRACTICE

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

• Medical malpractice
• Dental malpractice
• Bedsores in care facilities
• Abandonment of patient

PARTNERSHIP DISPUTES

• Partnership dissolution
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Accounting

PERSONAL INJURY AND TORTS

• Automobile
• Bicycle
• Pedestrian
• Negligence
• Defamation (including online internet postings)
• Sexual assault and abuse
• School expulsion
• Dog bite
• Dangerous condition of public property
• Public transportation (bus, light rail, train)
• Asbestos
• Civil rights/police misconduct/police excessive force
• Product liability
• Assumption of risk

REAL PROPERTY AND LAND USE

• Homeowner Association disputes
• CC&Rs disputes
• Eminent domain
• Inverse condemnation
• Construction defect
• Commercial lease disputes
• Residential lease disputes
• Landlord-tenant disputes
• Partition and accounting of real property
• Real estate sales commission
• Quiet title
• Mold infestation
• Public and private nuisance
• Property boundary disputes
• CEQA compliance
• Zoning

ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS

• Contract disputes (including credits)
• Royalties
• Breach of fiduciary duty
• Wrongful termination/FEHA

GOVERNMENTAL/PUBLIC AGENCY

• Eminent domain and inverse condemnation
• CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)
• Zoning and land use
• Dangerous condition of public property
• Public works contracts
• Police liability/civil rights
• College tenure disputes
• Personal injury actions involving public transportation

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY

• Legal malpractice
• Dental malpractice
• Architectural malpractice
• Construction defect

PROPERTY DAMAGE

DISCOVERY REFEREE