Case Manager: Christie Woo
Hon. Steven J. Kleifield (Ret.) is a distinguished public servant and esteemed legal professional admired for his intellect, integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice. With 42 years of experience working in the Los Angeles Superior Court, including 20 years as a Superior Court Judge and 22 years in private practice, Judge Kleifield has vast experience in handling a wide range of civil cases. Known for his fairness and patience, he is well-respected by attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Judge Kleifield has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by civil litigants and their attorneys. He is dedicated to assisting the Superior Court, litigants, and attorneys in the resolution of civil cases.
Judge Kleifield earned his B.A. degree from Washington University (St. Louis) in 1975 and his J.D. from the National Law Center at George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. in 1980.
Upon completing his legal education, Judge Kleifield entered into civil private practice, working in the trial and appellate courts. As an attorney, Judge Kleifield participated in every aspect of trial practice – trials, pleadings, motions, discovery, and appeals. His keen legal mind and meticulous attention to detail quickly earned him recognition within the legal community. He argued twice before the California Supreme Court. Judge Kleifield remained in private practice for 22 years until his appointment to the bench in 2002.
As a Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Kleifield first served in the Criminal Division. During this time, he presided over 85 criminal trials that resulted in verdicts and approximately 2,000 preliminary hearings. He was later transferred to the Civil Division, beginning with a one-year appointment as a limited civil trial court judge. Over the course of that year, he presided over 25 jury trials and numerous bench trials. Following a brief stint in the Limited Civil Master Calendar courtroom, he was then appointed to a general civil court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse.
For nine years, Judge Kleifield presided over an Independent Calendar court, tackling a diverse range of civil cases, including employment, personal injury, business and partnership disputes, unlawful detainer and habitability, lemon law, medical and other professional malpractice, and real estate, among others. In addition, he served for two years in the Complex Department as the Coordination Judge for asbestos-related cases in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties.
Throughout his judicial career, Judge Kleifield served on a number of committees, the most memorable being the Civil Legislation Committee of the California Judges Association, which reviews and proposes legislation and communicates with the State legislature. In this capacity, he played an important role in shaping public policy and ensuring the fair and equitable administration of justice. As an attorney, he served on the board of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles for ten years and on the board of the Los Angeles County Bar Association for four years. He was a member of the amicus curiae committee of the Consumer Attorneys Association of California.
Judge Kleifield also participated in judicial outreach. He presided over high school mock trials sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. He also started Teen Court programs at Fairfax High School and Los Angeles High School. During his 12 years volunteering his time to these programs, he presided over trials where high school students sat as jurors in misdemeanor cases involving other students. Judge Kleifield is also a regular contributor to legal publications and has written articles for the Advocate and the Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Civil Independent Calendar Court, 2011-2016, 2018-2023
Asbestos Coordination Judge, 2016-2018
Limited Civil Court, 2009-2011
Criminal Court, 2002-2009
Court-Related Activities:
Partner – Gordon, Edelstein, Krepack, Grant, Felton & Goldstein, LLP, 1989-2002
Associate – Schlifkin and Papell, 1980-1989
Law-Related Activities as Attorney:
“I think both sides felt like it was a fair settlement. There are some fairly complicated medical issues and factual issues in these asbestos cases, and he was in his element. He totally understood both sides’ arguments, and then he came up with what I thought was a reasonable compromise number, and we both went for it.”
“He is very fair to both sides. He doesn’t take sides. Like when he was on the bench, there was no perception that he favored the plaintiff’s side versus the defense side.”
“Lawyers, of course, try to explain, but when a third-party neutral – who has more experience and knowledge – sometimes when they are speaking it has more weight than the explanations given by their own counsel. I think Judge Kleifield knows how to play his role in that sense, and I really think he helped [the parties] to better understand the case, the claims and applicable case law.”
“He saw the issues right away. I didn’t have to bring him up to speed. And he was able to bring somebody up to speed who was not knowledgeable in the law. …He was able to identify the legal issues and communicate why this case needs to be resolved and why it was in their best interest to do so. And in the end, he was successful in doing it. He got it done.”
“I just highly recommend him. He thinks outside the box, and his experience gives him the knowledge to probably resolve any case before him. He just brings so much credibility to the table.”
“Judge Kleifield approached the mediation in the same way that he approached the civil cases assigned to him as a judge. In other words, he was fair to both sides, treated everyone with respect, did his homework and was well prepared, listened closely to what was being communicated and asked good questions and brought his thorough knowledge of the law with him. He was instrumental in helping my client and plaintiffs resolve the disputed claims here and I understand from plaintiff counsel that two other defendants also succeeded in resolving as a result of the one day mediation. On behalf of my clients, I would certainly retain his services again as a mediator and would recommend Judge Kleifield as a mediator to my colleagues.”
“Judge Kleifield was excellent and now on my list of recommended mediators. This was a very difficult case to resolve and his calm approach and attention to detail made it resolve. Highly recommend him.”
“We really enjoyed working with Judge Kleifield. He has a calm and effective way of communicating news that may not be so good for our case. I have suggested him to defense counsel on another case we plan to mediate.”
“Judge Kleifield was a very good mediator. I enjoyed him when he was a judicial officer in Los Angeles Superior Court. He works hard and took the time before the mediation to reach out to counsel and talk about the case and what he would need to assist him during the mediation. We were prepared and the prior preparation and discussion assisted in resolving the litigation. He was professional and courteous and worked well to speak with all parties and listen to all parties. Overall, good mediator.”