Scott Richard Kaufman

I attended law school in my mid 30s after earning my degree in speech communications, traveling a bit, waiting on tables, running a small food business and teaching tennis for eight years. Translated, I had a bit of a life and a well developed personality and world outlook at law school, unlike so many "kids" who go straight out of college and learn only to fight. My job is to see your issues from the legal and non legal sides. I need to see how the other side thinks as well to end up with successful results.

I do not come from an ivory tower. I've been poor, very poor, for years, and whatever I have I have earned it on my own. Remembering that path and that climb is essential to everything I do, every day and why I fight for all that you deserve and usually try to get you a bit more than the law allows. That is why you will find excellent reviews out there on my practice. We strive to please in your time of need.

• Lemon Law
• Contract Law
• Auto Fraud Law

• Free Consultation
• Contingent Fees
  In most of our matters we are able to get the other guy to pay your attorneys (us) in the matter.

California

Since 1997

State Chair

National Association of Consumer Advocates

Current

Univ of South Florida

Undergraduate Degree

Willamette Univ COL

Law Degree

California State Bar  # 190129

Member

1997 - Current

Q. How to respond to lawyer about closed case beyond statute of limitations?

May 9, 2025

A: Your post is unclear in a few ways, for instance:

You said, "I was involved in a civil lawsuit in California over three years ago"

but, also said: "which was closed without prejudice... due to lack of assets at the time."

AND "The case never made it to court" AND "there was no judgment."

AND "The statute of limitations has now passed."

AND "Recently, the same lawyer who filed the original paperwork"

AND "Given that the statute of limitations has passed..." How should I respond to this lawyer?

So, to an atty, much of what you seem to be saying is either "gibberish" <--- like a whole other language and NOT legal-ese; and in no way can we, here, confirm or even fully "get" what has happened and which way you need to go...

IF you 'were involved' IN a 'civil lawsuit' over three years ago, and it was 'closed without prejudice,

IT could be refiled at a later date.

IF you 'were involved' IN a civil lawsuit IT WAS filed.

IF you 'were involved' IN a civil lawsuit IT IS possible that there was a judgment and you may not even know about it??? Although, that is certainly doubtful IF it was in fact dismissed w/o prejudice.

How do you know the SOL has passed? There are dozens of such rules and one may be in play that keeps the claims live

By 'original paperwork' one assumes you mean the actual lawsuit?

I'd sit down IN PERSON or VIA ZOOM call with an attorney asap to make sure that you get your facts right and then s/he can advise you on what your next steps may be, IF any.

Good luck with it. ... Read More

Q. Options for defending against "as is" vehicle sale dispute in CA small claims court.

May 8, 2025

A: IF the sale of a vehicle in CA is from a consumer, even without an AS IS designation, the presumption is that no warranties are given, short of warranty of title. You've stated you sold it marked AS IS. Short of knowingly misleading the buyer, the equities lie in favor (here) of the seller. It's small claims court. Think Judge Judy. Have a good time.

Q. Amazon delivery driver injured my dog; how to claim medical costs?

April 22, 2025

A: My heart goes out to you and your dog. The legal system is not always the best route to solve issues?

Please note, I do NOT have THE answer but only a few thoughts, so here goes nothing:

a- FIND the money asap to helpl the dog, if at all possible, to lessen his/her suffering and to help the proper healing? Maybe some vet somewhere does mercy operations even?

b- IF the dog is loose in the road, that could be a 'legal defense' at least partly

c- if the driver took off, that is problematic for amazon

d- you did not actually say if the evidence or the witnesses prove fault???

e- a dog and we never want to hear this, is considered 'property' and so, his/her suffering is not really compensable

f- circle back to the top here. FIND a way to relieve the pain asap, worry about the cost later, and worry about how to get help from amazon, via the SLOW legal system, later.

Wishing ALL of you good things ... Read More