Originally from Los Angeles, Judge Stephen Peter Pfahler received his B.S. in business Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in 1987 and his J.D. from the University of Southern California in 1990. After passing the California bar in 1990, he worked at Adams, Duque & Hazeltine until 1995 when he joined LeBoeuf, Lamb, Leiby & MacRae. He then joined Banna, Green, Frank & Terzian in 2000 as a partner. His practice focused on antitrust, constitutional law, insurance law, products liability, state and municipal law, land use and zoning, among other areas. While in private practice, he also served as assistant city to the City of Calabasas, South Pasadena, and City of Rolling Hills Estates. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at USC School of Law and a board member of Kiss the Ground. He has been a member of the League of California Cities, School Attorneys' Association of California, and the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office Trial Advocacy Program. He is a Certified Life Coach and has studied positive psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. He was appointed to the bench in 2006 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Author
Protecting Privacy During Discovery – Los Angeles Lawyer Magazine, 1995
Contributing Author and Editor – Municipal Law Handbook – 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000