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Michael L. Stern

See more on Michael L. Stern

Judge (ret.)



Appointed to Los Angeles Superior Court by Gov. Gray Davis, 2001, retired March 2024; sole practitioner, Los Angeles, 1992-2001, 1986-89; principal trial attorney, Stern & Basich, Los Angeles, 1989-92; associate, Fogel, Rothchild, Feldman & Ostrov, Los Angeles, 1984-86; senior trial attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, civil rights division, criminal section, 1979-83; deputy federal public defender, Los Angeles, 1975-79; directing and associate attorney, California Rural Legal Assistance, 1972-75

Harvard Law, Boalt Hall



Judicial Profiles
Title Court Published
‘Tough Judge’ Los Angeles County (Los Angeles) Sep. 1, 2021
Judge Michael L. Stern Los Angeles Superior Feb. 3, 2004

Columns
Title Category Published
Memorable court moments Judges and Judiciary Jan. 5, 2024
Two artists, two visions, one courthouse Law Practice Dec. 11, 2023
George Harrison rocks the Mosk Courthouse Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Jul. 11, 2023
“Who Killed Jane Stanford” Entertainment & Sports Dec. 15, 2022
Beyond the paper chase Legal Education, Law Practice, Appellate Practice Sep. 16, 2022
It’s Time to End Contested Superior Court Judicial Elections Judges and Judiciary May 3, 2022
Justice John Marshall Harlan's vision of America, founded on the concept of equality for all U.S. Supreme Court, Civil Rights, Books Mar. 14, 2022
‘Darrow’s Nightmare: Los Angeles 1911-1913,’ by Nelson Johnson Law Practice, Criminal, Books Oct. 18, 2021
The decline and fall of court appearance decorum Law Practice Aug. 19, 2021
Service of process by email: A modest 21st century proposal Law Practice, Civil Litigation Jun. 29, 2021
Cruz Reynoso: A man who stood for justice, 1931-2021 Obituaries, Law Practice, California Supreme Court May 17, 2021
Racism, birthers and the rule of law in early California Sep. 28, 2020
Cross-examination: Avoiding ambush by witness Law Practice Jul. 31, 2020
Philip Saeta: A great trial judge Judges and Judiciary Feb. 4, 2020
Time moves on at Stanley Mosk Law Practice Dec. 16, 2019
Bridging two centuries of developing American law U.S. Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary, Books Oct. 17, 2019
The Compassionate Side of Judge Manuel Real Judges and Judiciary Jul. 15, 2019
The 2 sides of Los Angeles lawyer Stephen M. White Law Practice Apr. 24, 2019
Happy 60th birthday to Stanley Mosk Courthouse Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Oct. 31, 2018
Football in the field of law Law Practice Sep. 10, 2018
Attaining equal justice Judges and Judiciary Jun. 18, 2018
Judge Harry Pregerson was an American hero Judges and Judiciary Dec. 5, 2017
Passing the bar Law Practice, Ethics/Professional Responsibility Oct. 18, 2017
A lawyer and a lying president U.S. Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary, Government Jul. 17, 2017
Greatest witch hunt? Don't forget Lincoln Government Jun. 2, 2017
Greatest witch hunt? Don't forget Lincoln Government May 31, 2017
What would Honest Abe do? Government Apr. 16, 2015
Lawyer Lincoln's lesser-known lighter side Law Practice, Government Feb. 13, 2015
Take me out to the courthouse... Judges and Judiciary Sep. 25, 2014
A rare glimpse of LA law in the 19th century Books Aug. 26, 2013
Saving the soul of public justice Judges and Judiciary Oct. 4, 2012

Rulings
Case Category Published
Enmark v. KC Community Care
affirmed
 Arbitration Sep. 26, 2024
Campbell v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist.
affirmed
 Civil Procedure May 21, 2024
Hodges v. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
affirmed
 Disability Discrimination May 22, 2023
Castelo v. Xceed Financial Credit Union
affirmed
 Contracts May 18, 2023
The Kennedy Commission v. City of Huntington Beach
affirmed
 Civil Procedure May 12, 2023
Darby v. Sisyphian, LLC
affirmed
 Arbitration Jan. 27, 2023
Malloy v. Superior Court (Comprehensive Print Group)
petition granted
 Employment Discrimination Sep. 19, 2022
Gutierrez v. Chopard USA Ltd.
affirmed
 Remedies Aug. 22, 2022
Quach v. California Commerce Club
reversed and remanded
 Arbitration May 12, 2022
Melendez v. Westlake Services, Inc.
affirmed
 Consumer Law Jan. 31, 2022
Modification: North American Title Co. v. Gugasyan
affirmed
 Torts Jan. 26, 2022
North American Title Co. v. Gugasyan
affirmed
 Torts Dec. 30, 2021
Bruni v. The Edward Thomas Hospitality Corporation
affirmed
 Employment Law May 19, 2021
Simgel Co., Inc. v. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
affirmed
 Civil Procedure Oct. 5, 2020
Gamma Eta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha v. Helvey
reversed and remanded
 Contracts Feb. 10, 2020
Mathews v. Becerra
reversed and remanded
 Constitutional Law Dec. 27, 2019
People v. Suh
affirmed
 Insurance Jul. 10, 2019
Rand Resources, LLC v. City of Carson
affirmed in part
 Anti-SLAPP Feb. 5, 2019
Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court
affirmed
 Employment Law May 1, 2018
Nutrition Distribution, LLC v. Southern SARMS, Inc.
affirmed
 Civil Procedure Feb. 5, 2018
JetSuite v. County of Los Angeles
affirmed
 Tax Oct. 11, 2017

Verdicts & Settlements
Case Name Topic Role Published
Amir Rofougaran, Christine Collins, Lauren Lindstrom, Hooman Baratipour v. Dept. of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles, and Does 1 through 20, inclusive Real Property judge Oct. 4, 2024
California Labor Commissioner v. Calcrete Inc., et al. Employment Law judge Feb. 9, 2024
Cassaforte Limited v. Jhonalyn Jhoiey Ramirez and Studio Jhoiey, Inc. Contracts judge Sep. 22, 2023
APS&EE, LLC v. Jo-Ann Stores LLC, and Does 1 through 100, inclusive Consumer Law judge Oct. 15, 2021
Shefa LMV Inc. v. MiWorld Accessories LLC Consumer Law judge Jun. 26, 2020
ABV Group, Inc. et al. v. Alon Ben David, et al. Contracts judge May 29, 2020
Nicole Birden v. The Regents of the University of California, and Does 1 to 50 Employment Law judge Dec. 6, 2019
Fred Hall v. City of Los Angeles, and Does 1 to 10 Employment Law judge Nov. 17, 2017
Quincy Jones, an individual and dba Quincy Jones Productions v. MJJ Productions Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, and Does 1 through 50 Contracts judge Sep. 22, 2017
Confidential Personal Injury judge Apr. 8, 2006
Duan'ne Monique Land, by and through her guardian ad litem, Frank Canada v. Los Angeles Unified School District, Earl Perkins, Deborah Gayle, et al. Personal Injury judge Feb. 18, 2006
Jose Ruiz v. Hollywood Forever Inc., et al. Contracts judge Dec. 10, 2005
Vardanush Oganian v. Beno Nersissian Personal Injury judge Dec. 10, 2005
Linda Wang v. Charles Xue Securities judge Sep. 3, 2005
David A. Jones v. Harvey A. Zarem, Harvey A. Zarem, M.D. Inc. a Corporation, Gina Rockford Torts judge Aug. 6, 2005
Bart Trevino v. Neighborhood Partners, Overhead Door, Vortex Industries Personal Injury judge Jun. 1, 2005
Diane Nistler v. Penn Mar Therapeutic Center, Gary Schlecter Personal Injury judge May 24, 2005
Alison O'Neill v. Carlos Rodriguez, Irma Rodriguez, Philip Bouchereau, Philip Bouchereau Realty, Jerry Kessler, A. Tovar Termite and Pest Control Real Property judge Mar. 29, 2005
Chuk Isak v. Dae Sik Lee Contracts judge Nov. 30, 2004
Frank Tsushima v. Max Koemans Contracts judge Nov. 23, 2004
Gemini Aluminum Corporation v. Regency Aluminum Products Inc. Contracts judge Mar. 16, 2004
Rosa Bravo as Sister and Guardian ad Litem for Maria Velazquez v. Laidlaw Transit Inc. Personal Injury judge Dec. 9, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Aug. 5, 2003
Erika Berg v. Ronald Darden, D.D.S. Personal Injury judge Aug. 5, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Apr. 1, 2003
Dwight Harlow v. Jacob Rispler, The Laser and Dermatology Institute Personal Injury judge Feb. 25, 2003
Carolina Cisneros v. Monumental Life Insurance Company Insurance judge Feb. 25, 2003
Joseph Chammas and Zelia Chammas v. Fresh and Green Personal Injury judge Feb. 25, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Feb. 19, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Jan. 22, 2003
Jose Lerma, Christina Lerma v. Mahipal Shah Personal Injury judge Dec. 31, 2002
JPL International Diffusion Inc. v. John Paul Mitchell Systems Contracts Oct. 18, 2001
Rodrigo Castillo v. Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Todd Orduno, Thomas Orduno, Samantha Orduno Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) Plaintiff Apr. 5, 2001
Confidential Intellectual Property Plaintiff Nov. 5, 1994
Forsite Professional Products, Inc. v. John Paul Mitchell Systems Breach of Contract Defendant Oct. 30, 1993
Title Court Published
‘Tough Judge’ Los Angeles County (Los Angeles) Sep. 1, 2021
Judge Michael L. Stern Los Angeles Superior Feb. 3, 2004
Title Category Published
Memorable court moments Judges and Judiciary Jan. 5, 2024
Two artists, two visions, one courthouse Law Practice Dec. 11, 2023
George Harrison rocks the Mosk Courthouse Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Jul. 11, 2023
“Who Killed Jane Stanford” Entertainment & Sports Dec. 15, 2022
Beyond the paper chase Legal Education, Law Practice, Appellate Practice Sep. 16, 2022
It’s Time to End Contested Superior Court Judicial Elections Judges and Judiciary May 3, 2022
Justice John Marshall Harlan's vision of America, founded on the concept of equality for all U.S. Supreme Court, Civil Rights, Books Mar. 14, 2022
‘Darrow’s Nightmare: Los Angeles 1911-1913,’ by Nelson Johnson Law Practice, Criminal, Books Oct. 18, 2021
The decline and fall of court appearance decorum Law Practice Aug. 19, 2021
Service of process by email: A modest 21st century proposal Law Practice, Civil Litigation Jun. 29, 2021
Cruz Reynoso: A man who stood for justice, 1931-2021 Obituaries, Law Practice, California Supreme Court May 17, 2021
Racism, birthers and the rule of law in early California Sep. 28, 2020
Cross-examination: Avoiding ambush by witness Law Practice Jul. 31, 2020
Philip Saeta: A great trial judge Judges and Judiciary Feb. 4, 2020
Time moves on at Stanley Mosk Law Practice Dec. 16, 2019
Bridging two centuries of developing American law U.S. Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary, Books Oct. 17, 2019
The Compassionate Side of Judge Manuel Real Judges and Judiciary Jul. 15, 2019
The 2 sides of Los Angeles lawyer Stephen M. White Law Practice Apr. 24, 2019
Happy 60th birthday to Stanley Mosk Courthouse Law Practice, Judges and Judiciary Oct. 31, 2018
Football in the field of law Law Practice Sep. 10, 2018
Attaining equal justice Judges and Judiciary Jun. 18, 2018
Judge Harry Pregerson was an American hero Judges and Judiciary Dec. 5, 2017
Passing the bar Law Practice, Ethics/Professional Responsibility Oct. 18, 2017
A lawyer and a lying president U.S. Supreme Court, Judges and Judiciary, Government Jul. 17, 2017
Greatest witch hunt? Don't forget Lincoln Government Jun. 2, 2017
Greatest witch hunt? Don't forget Lincoln Government May 31, 2017
What would Honest Abe do? Government Apr. 16, 2015
Lawyer Lincoln's lesser-known lighter side Law Practice, Government Feb. 13, 2015
Take me out to the courthouse... Judges and Judiciary Sep. 25, 2014
A rare glimpse of LA law in the 19th century Books Aug. 26, 2013
Saving the soul of public justice Judges and Judiciary Oct. 4, 2012
Case Category Published
Enmark v. KC Community Care
affirmed
 Arbitration Sep. 26, 2024
Campbell v. Los Angeles Unified School Dist.
affirmed
 Civil Procedure May 21, 2024
Hodges v. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
affirmed
 Disability Discrimination May 22, 2023
Castelo v. Xceed Financial Credit Union
affirmed
 Contracts May 18, 2023
The Kennedy Commission v. City of Huntington Beach
affirmed
 Civil Procedure May 12, 2023
Darby v. Sisyphian, LLC
affirmed
 Arbitration Jan. 27, 2023
Malloy v. Superior Court (Comprehensive Print Group)
petition granted
 Employment Discrimination Sep. 19, 2022
Gutierrez v. Chopard USA Ltd.
affirmed
 Remedies Aug. 22, 2022
Quach v. California Commerce Club
reversed and remanded
 Arbitration May 12, 2022
Melendez v. Westlake Services, Inc.
affirmed
 Consumer Law Jan. 31, 2022
Modification: North American Title Co. v. Gugasyan
affirmed
 Torts Jan. 26, 2022
North American Title Co. v. Gugasyan
affirmed
 Torts Dec. 30, 2021
Bruni v. The Edward Thomas Hospitality Corporation
affirmed
 Employment Law May 19, 2021
Simgel Co., Inc. v. Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC
affirmed
 Civil Procedure Oct. 5, 2020
Gamma Eta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha v. Helvey
reversed and remanded
 Contracts Feb. 10, 2020
Mathews v. Becerra
reversed and remanded
 Constitutional Law Dec. 27, 2019
People v. Suh
affirmed
 Insurance Jul. 10, 2019
Rand Resources, LLC v. City of Carson
affirmed in part
 Anti-SLAPP Feb. 5, 2019
Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court
affirmed
 Employment Law May 1, 2018
Nutrition Distribution, LLC v. Southern SARMS, Inc.
affirmed
 Civil Procedure Feb. 5, 2018
JetSuite v. County of Los Angeles
affirmed
 Tax Oct. 11, 2017
Case Name Topic Role Published
Amir Rofougaran, Christine Collins, Lauren Lindstrom, Hooman Baratipour v. Dept. of Water and Power of the City of Los Angeles, and Does 1 through 20, inclusive Real Property judge Oct. 4, 2024
California Labor Commissioner v. Calcrete Inc., et al. Employment Law judge Feb. 9, 2024
Cassaforte Limited v. Jhonalyn Jhoiey Ramirez and Studio Jhoiey, Inc. Contracts judge Sep. 22, 2023
APS&EE, LLC v. Jo-Ann Stores LLC, and Does 1 through 100, inclusive Consumer Law judge Oct. 15, 2021
Shefa LMV Inc. v. MiWorld Accessories LLC Consumer Law judge Jun. 26, 2020
ABV Group, Inc. et al. v. Alon Ben David, et al. Contracts judge May 29, 2020
Nicole Birden v. The Regents of the University of California, and Does 1 to 50 Employment Law judge Dec. 6, 2019
Fred Hall v. City of Los Angeles, and Does 1 to 10 Employment Law judge Nov. 17, 2017
Quincy Jones, an individual and dba Quincy Jones Productions v. MJJ Productions Inc., Sony Music Entertainment, and Does 1 through 50 Contracts judge Sep. 22, 2017
Confidential Personal Injury judge Apr. 8, 2006
Duan'ne Monique Land, by and through her guardian ad litem, Frank Canada v. Los Angeles Unified School District, Earl Perkins, Deborah Gayle, et al. Personal Injury judge Feb. 18, 2006
Jose Ruiz v. Hollywood Forever Inc., et al. Contracts judge Dec. 10, 2005
Vardanush Oganian v. Beno Nersissian Personal Injury judge Dec. 10, 2005
Linda Wang v. Charles Xue Securities judge Sep. 3, 2005
David A. Jones v. Harvey A. Zarem, Harvey A. Zarem, M.D. Inc. a Corporation, Gina Rockford Torts judge Aug. 6, 2005
Bart Trevino v. Neighborhood Partners, Overhead Door, Vortex Industries Personal Injury judge Jun. 1, 2005
Diane Nistler v. Penn Mar Therapeutic Center, Gary Schlecter Personal Injury judge May 24, 2005
Alison O'Neill v. Carlos Rodriguez, Irma Rodriguez, Philip Bouchereau, Philip Bouchereau Realty, Jerry Kessler, A. Tovar Termite and Pest Control Real Property judge Mar. 29, 2005
Chuk Isak v. Dae Sik Lee Contracts judge Nov. 30, 2004
Frank Tsushima v. Max Koemans Contracts judge Nov. 23, 2004
Gemini Aluminum Corporation v. Regency Aluminum Products Inc. Contracts judge Mar. 16, 2004
Rosa Bravo as Sister and Guardian ad Litem for Maria Velazquez v. Laidlaw Transit Inc. Personal Injury judge Dec. 9, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Aug. 5, 2003
Erika Berg v. Ronald Darden, D.D.S. Personal Injury judge Aug. 5, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Apr. 1, 2003
Dwight Harlow v. Jacob Rispler, The Laser and Dermatology Institute Personal Injury judge Feb. 25, 2003
Carolina Cisneros v. Monumental Life Insurance Company Insurance judge Feb. 25, 2003
Joseph Chammas and Zelia Chammas v. Fresh and Green Personal Injury judge Feb. 25, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Feb. 19, 2003
Confidential Personal Injury judge Jan. 22, 2003
Jose Lerma, Christina Lerma v. Mahipal Shah Personal Injury judge Dec. 31, 2002
JPL International Diffusion Inc. v. John Paul Mitchell Systems Contracts Oct. 18, 2001
Rodrigo Castillo v. Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Todd Orduno, Thomas Orduno, Samantha Orduno Personal Injury (Non-Vehicular) Plaintiff Apr. 5, 2001
Confidential Intellectual Property Plaintiff Nov. 5, 1994
Forsite Professional Products, Inc. v. John Paul Mitchell Systems Breach of Contract Defendant Oct. 30, 1993
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