Martin J. Kaufman

Martin is a native of Los Angeles. In 1999, Martin joined his long time friend and business partner, David Lee, in forming the boutique law firm, Lee & Kaufman, LLP (a firm that consists of six attorneys specializing in all legal matters). Martin came to the firm as a seasoned trial lawyer, responsible for handling complex litigation matters in the areas of business, entertainment, employment and personal injury litigation. As head of the firm’s litigation group, Martin has represented such notable clients as Honda North America, Hartford Insurance, California Korea Bank, Asiana Airlines, Speed Racer Enterprises, Piaggio, USAand Elan Records, along with several other prominent individuals. Martin has also expanded his practice to include the representation of several “start up” companies, as well as rendering business and employment advice and guidance for other small to mid-sized companies.

Prior to forming Lee & Kaufman, LLP, Martin was corporate counsel for Honda North America, where he was an essential ingredient in many of the recent successes of this Fortune 500 company. At Honda, Martin created a nationwide practice where he amassed a trial record of 13-1. He also gained experience in trademark, copyright employment and intellectual property matters.

Since this time, Martin has engaged in an extensive employment law practice where he primarily defends mid-sized to large corporate clients in a variety of actions involving employment related claims such as ‘ADA’ claims and discrimination disputes. Martin also spends considerable time advising clients on the various pitfalls and issues that regularly arise under Federal and State employment law.

In 1991, Martin graduated with distinction from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He joined the prestigious law firm, Pillsbury Madison & Sutro. At “PMS” Martin represented many of the foremost companies of the Dow Jones, including Pacific Telesis, Travelers, Chevron, Ford Motor Company, Bank of America.

Education

Juris Doctor, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law (1991), Editor for
Law Review, editor for The Transnational Lawyer.

B.A. Political Science, University of California at Irvine (1988), cum laude.
Varsity letter, UCI Track and Field Team, Pacific Coast Athletic Association
(PCAA) Scholar Athlete

Credentials and Associations

Member, California State Bar (admitted 1991); Admitted to practice before all California Federal Courts;
Member, America Bar Association;
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association;

Chairman of Board, Wilshire Center Chamber of Commerce

Publications and Speaking Engagements

“The corporate response to massive discovery," DRI annual meeting, February, 1996;
"Challenges for the corporate practitioner," American Bar Association convention, Arizona, 1999.