---
title: Steven J. Kleifield
url: https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield
---

![Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/media/zoo/images/Kleifield-Steven_37c2e9481ec26f79807e65c941e8ecff.jpg)

# Steven J. Kleifield

Steven J. Kleifield is a judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. He was appointed by Gov. Gray Davis, and took the bench on September 12, 2002. He is currently assigned to a general civil court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles, where he hears a variety of civil cases.

### Articles written by this author:

## [Do you want the judge to read your papers?](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july/do-you-want-the-judge-to-read-your-papers "Do you want the judge to read your papers?")

The importance of “bookmarks” in your electronically filed documents, and the properly tabbed courtesy copy of your printed filing

[Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield")

[2019 July](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2019-july)

[![Effective courtroom lawyering - don't annoy the judge!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/media/zoo/images/Kleifeld_istock-184092883_9203e77470d19c2c0f1ac31345bca6d9.jpg)](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-july/effective-courtroom-lawyering "Effective courtroom lawyering - don\'t annoy the judge!")

## [Effective courtroom lawyering - don't annoy the judge!](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-july/effective-courtroom-lawyering "Effective courtroom lawyering - don\'t annoy the judge!")

Don’t annoy the judge. Why would you want to annoy the person you are trying to convince?

[Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield")

[2021 July](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2021-july)

## [Examinations under Evidence Code section 776](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2022-june/examinations-under-evidence-code-section-776 "Examinations under Evidence Code section 776")

Don’t call the defendant just because you [[case]]can[[/case]]….

[Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield")

[2022 June](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2022-june)

## [You’re thinking about applying to be a judge](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-october/you-re-thinking-about-applying-to-be-a-judge "You’re thinking about applying to be a judge")

Is this the right job for you?

[Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield")

[2024 October](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2024-october)

## [ABA Formal Opinion 518 and the attack on evaluative “lawyer-mediator” proposals](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september/aba-formal-opinion-518-and-the-attack-on-evaluative-lawyer-mediator-proposals "ABA Formal Opinion 518 and the attack on evaluative “lawyer-mediator” proposals")

Understanding the intent behind a mediator’s proposal

[Steven J. Kleifield](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/authors/steven-j-kleifield "Steven J. Kleifield")

[2026 September](https://www.advocatemagazine.com/issues/2026-september)