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Feb. 24, 2026

Judge Michael E. Whitaker runs a tight runway in Beverly Hills

In a general civil courtroom where cases range from neighborhood disputes to nationally watched litigation, Judge Michael E. Whitaker treats every trial like a flight plan -- preparation first, departure on time.

Read more about Michael E. Whitaker...
Judge Michael E. Whitaker runs a tight runway in Beverly Hills

Michael E. Whitaker

Los Angeles County Superior Court

Career Highlights: Appointed Los Angeles County Superior Court judge by Gov. Jerry Brown, Nov. 12, 2014; member, Culver City Civil Service Commission, 2006-14; supervising deputy attorney general, deputy attorney general, California Department of Justice, 1998-2014; associate, Law Offices of Richard S. Kim,1997-98; staff attorney, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., 1993-96; associate, Bronson Bronson & McKinnon LLP, 1991-92

Law School: University of Oregon School of Law, 1991
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BEVERLY HILLS - By 9 every morning, Superior Court Judge Michael E. Whitaker wants the engines humming. By 10, he wants wheels up.

"When we get to that point where we're going to go to trial," he said, "I'm like traffic control. I'm trying to get you onto the tarmac. I'm trying to get you from the gate to your wheels up."

Whitaker presides over a general civil assignment in Beverly Hills, where his docket includes everything... (continued)

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