Hon. Elizabeth R. Feffer (Ret.)

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Hon. Elizabeth R. Feffer (Ret.) has been providing mediation, arbitration, and referee services full-time since 2020, with an impressive track record of successful settlements across a broad spectrum of civil cases. She has also arbitrated numerous cases through hearing and final award. As a mediator, Judge Feffer has received praise from clients for her attentive approach, taking the time to fully comprehend the intricacies and dynamics of each case, and working diligently to ensure all parties reach a fair and reasonable resolution. Judge Feffer’s personable yet professional demeanor and persuasive nature has earned her the reputation of being an effective mediator. Her practical and insightful perspective allows her to realistically address the parties’ needs while fostering a constructive environment for resolution.

As a Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court for 13 years, Judge Feffer served in various roles, including an unlimited jurisdiction civil independent calendar court for six years, a civil trial court for three years, and a family law court for four 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.

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

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.

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

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

EDUCATION

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

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

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

CIVIL LITIGATION CAREER

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

MEMBERSHIPS

• 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
• California Lawyers Association, 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 Bench Guide, ‘Lemon Law Cases’
• California Judges Association: Retired Judges Committee; Civil Law & Policy Committee
• National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS): Flight and Concours Judge (Chapter)

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS

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

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

AREAS OF EXPERTISE (EXPANDED)

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

INSURANCE COVERAGE

• Directors & Officers (D&O) Coverage
• Fires (wildfires and arson)
• Classic/collector automobiles

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
• Gas leak
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and CTE including from professional sports

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

DISCOVERY REFEREE