KAUFMAN STEINBERG - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Attorney
• Member of the Orange County Bar Association

Cara Elkin graduated from the University of California, San Diego (B.A. Psychology, 1991) and Golden Gate University School of Law (J.D., Highest Honors, 1996). Cara was a published member of the Golden Gate Law Review, and received a full scholarship based on academic merit, graduating second in her class. She served a Judicial Clerkship for Justice Cliff Young, Nevada Supreme Court (1996-97), and was a founding member of the Capital Case Team for the Nevada Supreme Court (1997-99). Thereafter, Cara practiced civil and business litigation, real estate transactions, and insurance coverage litigation before starting her practice in Family Law in 2004. She currently practices as a family law attorney and mediator with Kaufman Steinberg LLP. Cara is a member of the Orange County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section), Los Angeles County Bar Association, the State Bar of California, and the State Bar of Nevada. She is one of the founding members of the Orange County Jewish Bar Association.

Job Titles:

• Managing Partner
• ADL Orange County / Long Beach Regional Vice Chair

Born in Great Neck, NY, Jordon moved west to southern California in 1981. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1994 and from the Whittier School of Law in 2000. Jordon is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, as per the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. During law school, Jordon was a member of the Moot Court Honors Board and also served as its Chief Justice in 2000. He was placed on the Dean's List for achievement in academics as well. Upon his graduation, Jordon received the much-coveted Dean's Outstanding Student Service Award for both law school as well as the community service work he performed throughout law school. Jordon was court-appointed to represent the interests of minor children. He is an alumnus of the Family Law Trial Institute (2009), which is a preeminent national program that has for more than twenty years provided advanced education, instruction and training in trial practice. Jordon is also an alumnus of the Advanced Child Custody Institute (2012). Jordon was a part of the the AFCC's 50th Anniversary Conference in L.A. "Riding the Wave of the Future: Global Voices, Expanding Choices". This conference focused on the Family Law Community in both the present as well as where it is heading in the future. Jordon is a member of the O.C. Bar Association (Member, Family Law), Director of the Orange County Bar Association (2017 to 2018), Assoc. of Family and Conciliation Courts (Member), and Assoc. of Certified Family Law Specialists. He is also a founding member and former President (2010-2016) of the O.C. Jewish Bar Association, and a Founding Fellow member of the O.C. Bar Foundation's Society of Fellows. Jordon is a past ADL Orange County/Long Beach Regional Vice Chair (2013 - 2014) as well as the American Jewish Committee's 2011 recipient of the Learned Hand Emerging Community Leader Award. Jordon currently sits on the Board of Caterina's Club which feeds 4000 children nightly in southern California. Jordon continues his involvement with the Anti-Defamation League as a Board member since 2011. Jordon was listed as a Rising Star in Super Lawyers Magazine in 2012 and 2013, and as a Super Lawyer for 2014 to present. Jordon has also been named one of the Top 50 Super Lawyers in Orange County for 2015 by Super Lawyers Magazine. He was named as one of the O.C. Register's Top Attorneys for 2013 to present and is rated 10/10 by AVVO.com. He was awarded the Martindale Hubbell 2013-to-present Client Distinction Award and has been AV Peer Rated (highest rating) by Martindale.com. Jordon limits his practice to Family Law matters and Family Law Mediation. Jordon's spare time is filled by his two children. Jordon's interests range from baseball (New York Yankees), basketball (LA Lakers), martial arts, spirituality, travel, dining and more.

Job Titles:

• Partner

Stephen Jay Kaufman, Esq. is a principal attorney and partner at Kaufman Steinberg LLP. With more than twenty years of experience, Steve is an expert in matters pertaining to divorce, child custody, guardianship, property division, spousal support and child support. He has great skill and experience in complex business and professional practice issues, representing clients with assets between one and fifty million dollars. Steve was born in 1956, and for most of his life has lived in Southern California. After a decade in the advertising and entertainment industries, where he wrote, produced and directed broadcast media content, Steve attended law school at the University of La Verne, graduating second in his class, and admitted to the State Bar of California in 1992. Steve immediately began practicing family law in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. A strong advocate for settlement, Steve seeks win-win solutions whenever possible, as contentious litigation can damage or destroy important family relationships which otherwise might survive divorce. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, he aggressively represents his clients' best interests in litigation. Steve is passionate about custody issues, and takes great care to insure all children, including those with special needs, are cared and provided for. Steve is also passionate about helping those who are victims of domestic violence find a safe environment during divorce proceedings. Steve is very proud of the work he has done helping domestic violence litigants reclaim their lives and the lives of their children. He is recognized for consistently caring for his clients and ensuring that they are able to reconstitute their lives after divorce. Steve has also represented litigants from a wide variety of businesses and industries. Steve's business experience, as well as his advocacy for business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs brings his clients a wealth of knowledge on issues regarding division of complex assets, closely held interests, professional practices and high net-worth estates. Steve's charitable activities include volunteering as a legal consultant to Human Options Women's Shelter, serving the Boards Of Directors of Tarbut V'Torah, Orange County Jewish Bar Association and Solomon Society, and he has served on the Planning and Funding Committee of Jewish Federation and Family Service of Orange County for over a decade. Steve also enjoys performing original world music with his group, Locos (he sings, plays strings, keys and brass instruments). Steve is an active swimmer and skier, and he is fluent in English and Spanish.