Jeffrey S. Kaufman has over 30 years of experience representing clients in trust and probate litigation, real estate litigation and business litigation.

When counseling clients, Mr. Kaufman works closely with the client and the litigation and trust or probate administration team, and focuses on creative, outside-the-box solutions.  Excellent communication is the key and Mr. Kaufman emphasizes how best to navigate the complex dynamics of the involved parties.  Mr. Kaufman has significant experience working with individuals and businesses of varying size—from family-operated to national banks.  Mr. Kaufman uses his extensive litigation experience to identify and anticipate potential issues and create a strategy for streamlining litigation as he counsels and advises clients in resolving their disputes.

Mr. Kaufman represents clients throughout Southern California (San Diego County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County) and in Northern California in probate and trust litigation matters. Mr. Kaufman represents clients in will and trust contests, complicated estate accounting disputes, disputes requiring extensive forensic accounting to identify misappropriated assets, disputes regarding how a fiduciary has managed an estate (breach of fiduciary duty claims), disputes concerning the construction or interpretation of a will or trust, contested conservatorship proceedings and elder financial abuse matters.

Mr. Kaufman is a 1991 graduate of Loyola Law School of Los Angeles and a 1988 graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Representative Matters

• Represented individuals and title insurance companies in probate and trust litigation.
• Represented clients in business and real estate litigation.
• Represented lenders in connection with probate administrations.

Admissions

• California
• United States District Court, Central District of California
• United States District Court, Southern District of California
• United States District Court, Eastern District of California
• United States District Court, Northern District of California
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Supreme Court

Education

• Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, J.D., 1991
• University of California, Los Angeles, 1988

 Experience

• Cunneen Booth LLP
  • Partner, 2023-Present
• Wolfe & Wyman LLP
  • Senior Counsel, 2015-2023
• Newmeyer & Dillion LLP
  • Partner, 2009-2015
• Kaufman & Kaufman
  • Partner, 1993-2009
• Snell & Wilmer LLP
  • Associate Attorney, 1991-1993

Professional Activities

• Orange County Bar Association
  • Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section
  • Real Estate Law Section
  • Labor & Employment Section
  • Banking and Lending Section
  • Masters Division
• Orange County Bankruptcy Forum

Civic and Charitable Activities

• Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County
  • Member, Board of Directors, 1994-present
  • Previously served as Vice President, Secretary, Chair of various committees
• Congregation B’nai Israel
  • Vice President, Youth 2019-2021
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2018-2022
• Solomon Society, Jewish Federation
  • Member, Late Night Committee
• Vista Verde Foundation
  • President, 2012-2016
  • Member, Board of Directors, 2007-2016
• Boy Scout Troop Committee Chair, 2017-2019