Hon. Leonard S. Wolf

Hon. Leonard S. Wolf (Ret)

Judicial Experience

Judge of the Superior Court, Los Angeles County, 1977 to 1989

Tried criminal and civil cases, both jury and non-jury of every nature, including tort, contract and complex family law litigation. Handled law and discovery and writs and receiver matters in the East, Northwest, and West Districts of the Superior Court. Presided over the Probate court in the West District from 1986 to 1989.

  • Held the office of Supervising Judge of the West District from 1986 until the date of retirement in April, 1989. Responsible for the administration of the West District (Santa Monica) of the Los Angeles Superior Court consisting of 13 judicial officers and staff. Conducted the master civil calendar, heard noticed and ex parte matters, adoptions, minor's compromise petitions, and civil settlement conferences.
  • Engaged in private dispute resolution matters since retirement and have had extensive participation in settlement conference and mediations, arbitrations, discovery proceedings, and jury and non jury trials Have had numerous appointments by the court pursuant to CCP Section 639 to render accountings, conduct special fact finding proceedings, and resolve discovery disputes.

Justice of the Court of Appeal

  • Second Appellate District, Division 5
  • Appointed by Chief Justice to serve as a justice of the Court of Appeal in 1985. Served as a member of a three-justice panel in ruling upon appeals and writs taken from trial court rulings. Authored a number of opinions, many of which were published in the Official Reports.

Judge of the Municipal Court

  • Beverly Hills Judicial District, County of Los Angeles, 1966-1977
  • Served as Presiding Judge in 1968, 1971, 1974. Tried misdemeanor criminal matters, felony
  • preliminary hearings, and civil matters which came within the Municipal court jurisdiction.

Judicial Activities

Chairman, Efficiency and Economic Committee, California Judges Association

  • Appointed by the President of the California Judges Association to chair a committee responsible for increasing the efficiency of the Municipal Courts. Conducted numerous hearings, appeared before the state legislature, and sponsored legislation aimed at improving Municipal Court procedures.

Legislation Committee, Los Angeles Superior Court

  • Appointed by the Presiding Judge as a member of a committee responsible for reviewing all pending legislation to determine its effect upon the judiciary and the public in general and to make recommendations to the Executive Committee respecting such pending legislation.

Executive Committee, Los Angeles Superior Court

  • Elected by fellow judges to serve as a member of the policy making board for the Los Angeles Superior Court. The Executive Committee advises upon all matters affecting the court, including court rules, budget and personnel matters, legislative and related matters.

Graduate of California College of Trial Judges

  • Attended the trial judges' colleges as a student in 1968 as a Municipal Court Judge and again in 1978 as a Superior Court Judge. Was trained and educated in matters involving the performance of judicial duties.

Faculty Member, California College of Trial Judges, 1976, 1986

  • Appointed by the Dean of the California College of Trial Judges to serve as a lecturer and seminar leader in furtherance of the training and education of newly appointed judges to the Municipal and Superior Courts.

Professional Career

Faculty Member, University of Southern California, 1954-1955

  • Conducted classes at the University School of Engineering on legal principles which were involved in the practice of engineering in the State of California

Trial Deputy City Prosecutor, 1956

  • Was in charge of prosecution of misdemeanor cases arising in the City of Pasadena and surrounding areas. Worked with police agencies to create programs designed to curtail substance abuse.

Private Law Practice, Emphasis on Civil Litigation, 1956-66

  • Engaged as a practicing lawyer handling principally contractual matters, real estate development, syndication, and litigation attendant to such matters.
  • Appointed to Beverly Hills Municipal Court in 1966 by Edmund G. Brown, Governor of the State of California. Re-elected without opposition in 1968 and 1974.
  • Appointed to Los Angeles Superior Court in 1977 by Edmund G. Brown, Jr., and re-elected without opposition in 1978 and 1984.

Education

  • Venice High School, 1943-1946
  • University of California, Los Angeles, 1946 - 1950, Major in Political Science Bachelor of Arts Degree
  • University of Southern California, School of Law, 1950-1953
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence

Academic Honors

  • Associate Editor, USC Law Review, 1952-1953
  • Winner of the Harry J. Bower Scholastic Scholarship-USC, 1952-1953
  • ALL University Scholarship Society- USC, 1953
  • Order of the Coif - Legal Scholarship Society - USC, 1953

Civic Activities

  • Board of Directors - Beverly Hills Little League
  • Board of Directors - AYSO Soccer League

Military Science

  • Honorary Discharge from United States Air Force, 1958

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This page was last modified in June 2007

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