Stephen J. Kaufman

Stephen Jay Kaufman, Esq. is a principal attorney and partner at Kaufman Steinberg LLP. With more than twenty years of experience, Steve is an expert in matters pertaining to divorce, child custody, guardianship, property division, spousal support and child support. He has great skill and experience in complex business and professional practice issues, representing clients with assets between one and fifty million dollars.

Steve was born in 1956, and for most of his life has lived in Southern California. After a decade in the advertising and entertainment industries, where he wrote, produced and directed broadcast media content, Steve attended law school at the University of La Verne, graduating second in his class, and admitted to the State Bar of California in 1992. Steve immediately began practicing family law in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. A strong advocate for settlement, Steve seeks win-win solutions whenever possible, as contentious litigation can damage or destroy important family relationships which otherwise might survive divorce. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, he aggressively represents his clients’ best interests in litigation.

Steve is passionate about custody issues, and takes great care to insure all children, including those with special needs, are cared and provided for. Steve is also passionate about helping those who are victims of domestic violence find a safe environment during divorce proceedings. Steve is very proud of the work he has done helping domestic violence litigants reclaim their lives and the lives of their children. He is recognized for consistently caring for his clients and ensuring that they are able to reconstitute their lives after divorce.

Steve has also represented litigants from a wide variety of businesses and industries. Steve’s business experience, as well as his advocacy for business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs brings his clients a wealth of knowledge on issues regarding division of complex assets, closely held interests, professional practices and high net-worth estates.

Steve’s charitable activities include volunteering as a legal consultant to Human Options Women’s Shelter, serving the Boards Of Directors of Tarbut V’Torah, Orange County Jewish Bar Association and Solomon Society, and he has served on the Planning and Funding Committee of Jewish Federation and Family Service of Orange County for over a decade. Steve also enjoys performing original world music with his group, Locos (he sings, plays strings, keys and brass instruments). Steve is an active swimmer and skier, and he is fluent in English and Spanish.