Hon. Leonard Wolf (Ret.)

T: 310.203.8200
F: 310.203.8211

EDUCATION:

(1946-1950) B.A. Political Science, University of California, Los Angeles
(1950-1953) J.D. University of Southern California Law Center (Order of the Coif)

ACADEMIC HONORS:

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

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE:

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.
(1966-1977) Judge of the Municipal Court, Beverly Hills Judicial District, County of Los Angeles. Served as Presiding Judge in 1968, 1971, and 1974. Tried misdemeanor criminal matters, felony preliminary hearings, and civil matters which came within the Municipal Court Jurisdiction.
(1977-1986) Judge of the Superior Court, County of Los Angeles 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.
(1985) Justice of the Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, Division 5 Appointed by the Chief Justice to serve as a justice of the Court of Appeal. 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.
(1986-1989) Supervising Judge of the West District, Presided over the Probate Court 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.

LEGAL AND ACADEMIC CAREER:

(1954-1955) Faculty Member, University of Southern California Conducted classes at the University School of Engineering on legal principles which were involved in the practice of engineering in the State of California
(1955-1956) Trial Deputy City Prosecutor for City of Pasadena 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.
(1956-1966) Private Law Practice, Allen, Fasman & Wolf (Emphasis on Civil Litigation) Beverly Hills, California. Engaged as a practicing lawyer handling principally complex contractual matters, real estate development, syndication, as well as representing both plaintiffs and defendents in general tort litigation
(1976, 1986) Faculty Member, California College of Trial Judges 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.

ADR EXPERIENCE:

(1989-Present) Mediator, Arbitrator, Judge Pro Tem, Discovery and Accounting Referee, Special Master and Voluntary Settlement Conference Officer.

Judge Leonard Wolf served as a special master in environmental tort actions to render accountings and to supervise discovery and make factual findings in Los Angeles County, throughout United States and Europe.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Tort; Insurance Coverage; Employment/Labor; Construction Defect; Environmental; Medical, Legal, and Accounting Malpractice; Family Law; Real Estate Development; Business Accounting; Personal Injury; Probate and Trusts; Product Liability; Professional Fees, Entertainment; Law and Motion Bad Faith; Subrogation; and Complex Civil Litigation.

JUDICIAL ACTIVITIES AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AFFILIATIONS:

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.
Member, 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 relatedmatters.
Graduate (1968, 1978) and Faculty Member (1976, 1986), California College of Trial Judges.
- Attended the trial judge’s college as a student in 1968 as a Municipal Court Judge and again in 1978 as a Superior Court Judge. Was trained and educated masters involving the performance of judicial duties.
- Appointed by the Dean of 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.

Board of Directors, Beverly Hills Little League and AYSO Soccer League
Member, American Bar Association, California Judges Association, the International Academy of Trial Judges, and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).

MILITARY SERVICE:

Honorary Discharge from United States Air Force, 1958

PERSONAL:

Born on February 27, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. Married to B.J. Wolf. Three children: Lori, James and Dean.

AVAILABLE:

Throughout Southern California

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