Pfahler to Retire After 20 Years on Bench

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

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Pfahler to Retire After 20 Years on Bench

By a MetNews Staff Writer

STEPHEN P. PFAHLER

Superior Court judge

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Stephen P. Pfahler, after 20 years on the bench, has slated his official retirement for May 1, but will first use up seven earned vacation days.

Pfahler was appointed by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger upon the Feb. 22, 2006 retirement of Judge Richard Kolostian, who was up for election that year. The governor had announced his intention five days earlier to fill that and two other offices which some would-be candidates had been eying, assuming they would be open seats.

Had anyone filed nominating papers for Kolostian’s post prior to Pfahler taking office, an election would have proceeded that year, under the California Supreme Court’s 1980 opinion in Stanton v. Panish, but the candidate would have been undertaking the formidable task of seeking to unseat an incumbent. No one challenged Pfahler, meaning the election for the seat was postponed two years.

Counseled Public Agencies

Pfahler was at the time of his appointment a partner in the downtown Los Angeles firm of Bannan, Green, Frank and Terzian. In addition to handling civil litigation, he was counsel for more than 40 public agencies.

That included serving as city attorney for South Pasadena and Rolling Hills Estates. He had been assistant city attorney for Rolling Hills Estates from 1995-2005 and for Calabasas in 2003.

His 1990 law degree is from USC.

While on the bench, he returned to USC, serving as an adjunct professor at the Price School of Public Policy, teaching public policy and law.

In 2024, the San Fernando Valley Bar Association named Pfahler “Judge of the Year.”

Pfahler’s Reflections

Looking back at his years on the bench, the judge commented:

“My fondest memories of service on the Superior Court all revolve around the amazing colleagues, remarkable staff, and talented attorneys who have appeared before me. The Los Angeles Superior Court is one of the largest court systems in the world, and I have been privileged to serve among so many dedicated professionals. Their commitment to justice—often under demanding conditions—has been incredibly meaningful, humbling, and inspiring.

“I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to serve all of those who have appeared in my courtroom—attorneys, jurors, litigants, and members of the public—each trusting that they would be heard and treated fairly. Every day, I did my very best to hear the evidence, apply the law, and make just decisions. It has been the privilege of my professional life to serve our community in this way.”

ADR Progress

He remarked that he is gratified to see the progress the court has made in promoting alternate dispute resolution (“ADR”), saying:

“Having served on the ADR committee for many years, including as its vice chair, I see the future of litigation shirting its emphasis toward alternative methods of resolving cases. Yes, some cases need to be tried, but courts, attorneys, and parties should consider settlement as the primary means of resolving disputes.”

Lacking any specific retirement plans, Pfahler said, he noted that he does know he will be spending more time with his family.

“I still have a great deal of energy, motivation, and experience to continue serving others and the legal community in meaningful ways,” he related.

Pfahler has authored two advice books—“The Whole Truth for Lawyers: a Complete Guide to Flourishing in Your Life and Career” and “10x Happiness: Maximize Your Full Potential and Achieve Your Happiest Life,” the latter co-authored by Dan Strull. He said he has “some ideas for a third book,” adding:

“The next chapter of my life remains unwritten, but I look forward to the next adventure.”