Trial strategy is developed with the legal issues, evidentiary record and possibility of appeal in view from the beginning.
Trial & Appellate Counsel · Beverly Hills
$60 Million in jury verdicts.
Philip Kaufler represents clients in complex civil litigation and appeals involving real estate, professional negligence, serious injury and estate controversies.
Established 1978 · Beverly Hills, California
of Practice
Jury Verdicts
Award
The Practice
Trial experience. Appellate perspective. One continuous strategy.
Philip Kaufler has represented clients in complex civil litigation for decades from Beverly Hills, handling real estate matters, professional-negligence claims, personal injury and estate-related controversies.
His appellate work includes more than 30 published California decisions touching elder abuse, public funds, professional conduct and access to court records.

Practice Areas
Focused representation across complex civil matters.
Trial and appellate litigation, real estate, professional-negligence, personal injury and estate disputes.
Explore all practice areas →
Trial & Appellate Litigation
Representation in complex civil disputes at the trial and appellate levels, including briefing, oral advocacy, post-judgment strategy and record preservation.
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Real Estate
Disputes involving ownership, transactions, property rights and related claims.
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Legal Malpractice
Claims involving professional duties, standards of care and alleged legal negligence.
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Personal Injury
Serious injury matters involving negligence, contested liability and damages.
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Estate Disputes
Inheritance, fiduciary, elder-abuse-related and estate controversies requiring litigation.
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Selected Result
$12M jury verdict in a catastrophic injury matter.
An article in Lawyers Weekly USA reports a $12 million jury verdict in a Los Angeles County bus collision matter; comparative fault reduced the recovery to a $6 million net award.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Website content is informational and is not legal advice.
Appellate Depth
Published decisions and meaningful appellate work.
The practice is not defined only by verdicts and awards. Philip Kaufler’s appellate work includes published California decisions involving elder abuse, public access issues, professional conduct and other significant questions of law.

In the Record
Coverage, published decisions and matters that tell the fuller story.
Each case below includes a concise paragraph for context. Select that paragraph to open the complete website article and the related source record.
Explore all cases & articles →Lawyers Weekly USA · Sept. 12, 2005
Intoxicated Driver Wins Millions in Bus Accident
Attorneys Philip Kaufler and Arash Homampour secured a reported $12 million jury verdict for Ramone Melendez after a speeding Los Angeles County bus struck his pickup truck. The jury found Melendez 50% at fault, resulting in a reported $6 million net award.
Read full article →Jury Award · 2011
$3.322M Jury Award — Shelly Morita v. Jon Peters
Client-supplied materials report a $3.322 million jury award, including $2.5 million punitive and $822,000 compensatory damages.
Read full article →City News Service · Aug. 3, 2016
‘Superman’ producer Jon Peters, ex-wife settle lawsuit over film profits
City News Service reported that movie producer Jon Peters and his former wife, Mindy Peters, reached a settlement in a dispute over alleged promises concerning Superman film profits. Attorney Philip Kaufler, representing Mindy Peters, filed a notice of settlement on July 28, 2016.
Read full article →Client-supplied case report · Result Sept. 6, 2017
Patrick Flannery v. Andrea Murray and American Contractors
Client-supplied case materials describe a dispute over a jointly owned horse-boarding ranch in which the defense prevailed on Flannery’s claims and Andrea Murray obtained $163,479 on an accounting cross-claim.
Read full article →In the Press & Recognition
Published coverage. Public recognition.
Selected original articles and City of Lancaster commendations supplied by the firm. Open a document to review its original pages.
Metropolitan News-Enterprise · 2004
$1 Million Elder-Abuse Award Upheld
Coverage of the appellate ruling and standing to pursue an elder-abuse claim.
Original clipping (PDF) ↗
Daily Journal · May 2000
Against the Grain
An archival feature on Philip Kaufler's representation of television producer Deborah Pratt.
Read original article (PDF) ↗
City of Lancaster · 2011
Lancaster Commendation, 2011
City commendation and accompanying mayor's letter, dated October 25, 2011.
View commendation (PDF) ↗
City of Lancaster · 2014
Lancaster Commendation, 2014
City commendation and accompanying mayor's letter, dated February 11, 2014.
View commendation (PDF) ↗Past case results do not guarantee future outcomes. Newspaper and city documents are reproduced from client-supplied materials.
Latest Articles
Recent reading from the practice and case record.
Original commentary and selected Cases & Articles appear together here, giving visitors one current reading stream across new insights and the firm’s case record.
View all insights →Media Coverage
‘Superman’ producer Jon Peters, ex-wife settle lawsuit over film profits
City News Service reported that movie producer Jon Peters and his former wife, Mindy Peters, reached a settlement in a dispute over alleged promises concerning Superman film profits. Attorney Philip Kaufler, representing Mindy Peters, filed a notice of settlement on July 28, 2016.
Read article →Estate / Elder Abuse
Estate of Lowrie — Standing in Elder-Abuse Litigation
The Court of Appeal held that a granddaughter with a contingent interest in her grandmother’s estate had standing to pursue an elder-abuse action, consistent with the statute’s protective purpose.
Read article →Professional Responsibility / Business
BGJ Associates v. Wilson
The Court of Appeal held that an attorney-client business transaction was voidable where required written disclosures, advice to seek independent counsel and written consent were not provided.
Read article →Testimonials
What colleagues and clients say.
Approved testimonials supplied by the firm. Select View More to read each statement in full.
I have known Philip Kaufler for many years. We have worked together on several cases over the years. Philip is a real lawyer, and so fast on his feet. As an example, in legal motions filed before a judge, the judge will usually issue a written 'tentative decision' before hearing oral argument. Philip has a remarkable ability to read that 'tentative', and if it's against his position then really discuss the issue in depth with the judge and "turn the judge around". Oral argument is a process he really enjoys. He's equally adept before higher courts, including the California Supreme Court. And when Philip cross-examines an adverse witness they learn what a grueling experience cross-examination really is. Very importantly Philip really cares for his clients and really digs in on their behalf. If you hire Philip you will have hired the best.
Phil Kaufler is one of the best trial lawyers I know. I've known him for over 20 years. I've worked with him and opposed him. His preparation is always immaculate and juries love him. He wins a lot of cases most lawyers would lose. If I needed a trial lawyer to represent me, I'd retain Phil.
Throughout my case, Philip Kaufler has been an exceptionally hardworking and dedicated attorney, tirelessly fighting to see that my claims were heard on their merits. He has been consistently attentive to every detail and to my concerns at each step, and I am grateful to have had such a committed advocate on my side.
Contact the Office
Discuss your matter.
For consultation inquiries, contact The Law Offices of Philip Kaufler in Beverly Hills.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Fax 323-655-9655
Complex civil disputes

