Judge Jerrold Abeles

Judge Jerrold E. Abeles is a relatively newly appointed jurist on the Los Angeles County Superior Court, having been elevated to the bench by Governor Gavin Newsom in May 2023. His background is firmly rooted in private civil litigation, having spent the bulk of his career at mid-to-large law firms — including LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae, O'Brien Abeles, and ArentFox Schiff — over a span of nearly two decades before his appointment. This extensive private practice background, spanning from 1988 to at least 2007, suggests a judge who is deeply familiar with the mechanics of civil litigation, motion practice, and the practical realities of how cases are built and argued by counsel on both sides. Public reporting, particularly from the Daily Journal in October 2024, highlights two defining characteristics of Judge Abeles's courtroom: civility and precision. These qualities were noted specifically in the context of high-volume eviction trial calendars, which are among the most procedurally demanding and fast-paced dockets in the Los Angeles Superior Court system. A judge who maintains both civility and precision under those conditions signals a strong commitment to procedural discipline and orderly courtroom management. Attorneys should expect a courtroom where decorum is enforced, arguments are expected to be focused and well-organized, and procedural shortcuts are unlikely to be tolerated. The one substantive ruling on record — his denial of a dismissal motion in the Kate Beckinsale knee injury lawsuit against producers of 'Canary Black' — is too isolated to establish a clear pattern on dispositive motions, but it does confirm that Judge Abeles is handling complex civil matters beyond the eviction docket. Given the limited data available, attorneys should approach appearances before Judge Abeles with a premium on preparation, procedural compliance, and professional conduct.

Attorneys appearing before Judge Abeles should anchor their strategy in two core principles drawn from available data: precision and civility. On the precision front, this means every filing and oral argument should be tightly organized, with clear roadmaps, concise legal standards, and direct application of law to facts. Judges who prize precision in high-volume dockets tend to be impatient with meandering arguments, excessive recitation of background facts, or arguments that bury the key legal issue. Lead with your strongest point, state the relief you are seeking immediately, and support it with the most directly applicable authority. On the civility front, attorneys should be scrupulously professional in all interactions — with the court, with opposing counsel, and with court staff. Judges who are noted for bringing civility to their courtrooms often hold counsel to the same standard. Aggressive or dismissive conduct toward opposing counsel, speaking over others, or any form of courtroom theatrics is likely to be met with a firm response. This is particularly important in contested eviction matters, where tensions between landlord and tenant counsel can run high. Given Judge Abeles's extensive background in private civil litigation at sophisticated law firms, he will likely be a sophisticated audience for complex legal arguments and will not need basic concepts over-explained. However, this also means he will quickly identify weak arguments or unsupported factual assertions. Attorneys should ensure that every factual claim in briefing is properly supported by the record, and that legal citations are accurate and directly on point. His private practice background at firms handling commercial matters suggests familiarity with contract disputes, business litigation, and civil procedure — leverage that familiarity by framing arguments in terms he will recognize from practice.

• critical

  Audit All Filings for LASC Local Rule Compliance

  Given Judge Abeles's noted emphasis on precision, conduct a thorough review of all filings against LASC local rules and any department-specific standing orders before submission. Confirm page limits, formatting requirements, proof of service requirements, and any tentative ruling procedures specific to his department.

• critical

  Research Current Department Practices and Standing Orders

  As a judge appointed in 2023, Judge Abeles may have issued department-specific standing orders or adopted particular procedures for hearings, tentative rulings, or trial management. Check the LASC website for his department's standing orders and contact the clerk to confirm current practices before your first appearance.

• critical

  Prepare a Concise, Structured Oral Argument Outline

  Judge Abeles's preference for precision in fast-paced settings suggests he will not tolerate rambling oral argument. Prepare a structured outline that leads with the relief sought, states the applicable legal standard, and applies it to the key facts — all within a tight time frame. Practice delivering the core argument in under five minutes.

• important

  Gather Recent Attorney Intelligence on His Courtroom

  With limited public ruling data available, the most valuable intelligence will come from attorneys who have recently appeared before Judge Abeles. Reach out to colleagues in the LASC eviction and civil litigation bar to gather firsthand accounts of his demeanor, questioning style, and any emerging preferences.

• important

  Prepare a Professional Conduct Protocol for Your Team

  Brief all attorneys and staff who will appear or interact with the courtroom on Judge Abeles's noted emphasis on civility. Establish clear protocols for interactions with opposing counsel in and around the courtroom to avoid any conduct that could draw judicial criticism.

• Nice

  Review Kate Beckinsale Ruling for Dismissal Motion Standards

  If your matter involves a motion to dismiss or demurrer, review the publicly available reporting on Judge Abeles's ruling in the Beckinsale v. Canary Black producers case to understand how he applied the applicable standard. While a single ruling is not dispositive, it provides the only available data point on his approach to early dispositive motions.

• ›Maintain strict professional courtesy toward opposing counsel at all times — Judge Abeles has been specifically noted for enforcing civility, and any discourteous conduct toward opposing counsel or court staff is likely to draw an immediate and unfavorable response from the bench.
• ›Be punctual and fully prepared when your matter is called — in high-volume eviction dockets, judges who prize precision and efficiency have little tolerance for attorneys who are not ready to proceed, who need to locate documents, or who request continuances without strong cause.
• ›Organize oral argument with a clear structure and lead with your conclusion — state the relief you are seeking and the primary legal basis within the first 60 seconds of argument, then support it, rather than building to a conclusion after extended background recitation.
• ›Address the court formally and wait to be recognized before speaking — do not interrupt the judge or opposing counsel, and if the judge asks a question, stop your argument immediately and answer the question directly before resuming.
• ›Ensure all exhibits, binders, and supporting materials are tabbed, organized, and ready to hand up before the hearing begins — a judge who values precision will notice and appreciate counsel who are organized and will be frustrated by counsel who fumble for documents during argument.