Judge Michael C. Small

Judge Michael C. Small serves on the Los Angeles Superior Court at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, having been appointed by Governor Jerry Brown on March 30, 2015. He is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and was one of four judges appointed to the LA Superior Court as part of a group of 12 judicial appointments made simultaneously. A 2026 Daily Journal profile characterized his approach as bringing appellate rigor to complex trial court matters, indicating a methodical and precedent-focused orientation toward judicial decision-making. Judge Small has presided over high-profile matters, including a lawsuit involving Kim Kardashian that he dismissed in November 2025, related to a mistaken death row identification. This case demonstrates his willingness to resolve complex, publicly scrutinized matters through dispositive rulings. His described appellate rigor suggests he places significant weight on legal precision, procedural compliance, and the quality of legal authority cited in briefs and oral argument. Because no analyzed rulings, attorney observations, or ingested content records are currently available, the behavioral patterns described here are drawn exclusively from his public profile, appointment record, and the limited case information on record. Attorneys should treat this profile as a starting framework and supplement it with direct research into his recent docket and any available tentative rulings.

Given Judge Small's characterization as bringing appellate rigor to complex trial court matters, attorneys should prioritize the quality and depth of legal authority in all submissions. Briefs should be structured with clear headings, precise citations to controlling California and federal authority, and logical progression of argument — the kind of presentation that would satisfy an appellate panel. Sloppy citation practice or reliance on persuasive authority without acknowledging its non-binding status is a risk before a judge with this orientation. Attorneys handling complex matters before Judge Small should anticipate that he will engage substantively with the legal merits rather than defaulting to procedural shortcuts. His dismissal of the Kardashian-related lawsuit suggests he is willing to resolve cases on dispositive motions when the legal basis supports it. Accordingly, motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment should be briefed with the same rigor as appellate briefs, with careful attention to the sufficiency of the pleadings and the evidentiary record. Because no direct attorney observations or ruling analyses are available, attorneys should independently review Judge Small's tentative rulings on the LA Superior Court's online system prior to any hearing. This will provide the most current and reliable signal of his analytical approach and preferences in the specific matter type at issue.

• critical

  Review All Available Tentative Rulings

  Before any hearing, check the LA Superior Court's online tentative ruling system for Judge Small's posted rulings. This is the most direct available window into his current analytical approach and preferences.

• critical

  Prepare Appellate-Quality Briefs

  Given his described appellate rigor, all briefs should be structured, precisely cited, and analytically complete. Treat every motion as if it will be reviewed by an appellate panel.

• important

  Assess Dispositive Motion Viability Early

  Judge Small has demonstrated willingness to dismiss cases on dispositive grounds. Evaluate whether a motion to dismiss or motion for summary judgment is viable and brief it thoroughly if so.

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  Research His Georgetown Legal Training Context

  Georgetown University Law Center has a strong tradition in constitutional law, federal practice, and appellate advocacy. Familiarity with these traditions may inform how to frame legal arguments.

• important

  Monitor Daily Journal Coverage

  A 2026 Daily Journal profile covered Judge Small's approach to complex LA trial court cases. Reviewing that profile and any subsequent coverage may yield additional behavioral insights not yet captured in this dataset.

• ›Present arguments with the precision and structure expected in appellate proceedings — clear organization, accurate citations, and logical progression.
• ›Be prepared to engage substantively on the legal merits; Judge Small's appellate orientation suggests he will probe the legal foundations of arguments, not just procedural posture.
• ›Do not rely on persuasive or out-of-jurisdiction authority without explicitly acknowledging its non-binding status and explaining why it should be followed.
• ›Arrive prepared to address dispositive issues directly; do not assume complex cases will proceed past early motion practice without rigorous legal justification.