May 4, 2026
Hon. Stephen P. Pfahler (Ret.) Joins ADR Services, Inc.
ADR Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that Hon. Stephen P. Pfahler (Ret.) has joined the panel as a mediator and arbitrator.
Judge Pfahler brings more than 35 years of civil litigation experience, 20 years on the Los Angeles Superior Court bench, and a rare combination of trial mastery and settlement expertise to settle even the most challenging cases. As a judge, he presided over hundreds of trials and resolved more than 500 civil cases. Most recently, he served for 15 years in a Civil Independent Calendar court, managing complex matters across a wide range of practice areas, including employment, personal injury, business and commercial, insurance coverage, real estate, class actions, public entity litigation, and more.
Widely regarded as one of the court’s most effective settlement judges, fellow judges routinely referred their most difficult and impasse-bound cases to Judge Pfahler for resolution. He served for a decade on the court’s ADR Committee, including two years as Vice Chair, where he played a key role in training judges in settlement techniques. In recognition of his contributions to the legal community, he was named Judge of the Year by the San Fernando Valley Bar Association in 2024.
Judge Pfahler is known for his thoughtful, facilitative approach, combining active listening with practical, experience-based evaluation. His ability to connect with parties and guide them through complex, high-stakes disputes has made him a highly effective neutral.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Pfahler spent 16 years as a civil litigator and partner at prominent firms, and also served as City Attorney for the Cities of South Pasadena and Rolling Hills Estates, and as Assistant City Attorney for the Cities of Calabasas and Rolling Hills Estates. He has also been a dedicated educator, teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California and serving as a faculty member for The Rutter Group.
ADR Services, Inc. proudly welcomes Judge Pfahler and looks forward to the experience, insight, and professionalism he brings to the panel.