Judge assigned to this case

Steve Kim is a federal magistrate judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of California. He was sworn in for this position on April 11, 2016, upon the retirement of Magistrate Carla Woehrle. His current term will expire on April 10, 2024.

Early life and education

Kim earned his bachelor's degree with special distinction from the University of Oklahoma, where he was the recipient of the Carl Albert Award. This award is given to the most distinguished graduate of the University's College of Arts & Sciences. He earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. 

Professional career

After he graduated from law school, Kim clerked for Judge Stephen Wilson of the United States District Court for the Central District of California and for Judge Sidney Thomas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He then worked for Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP as a civil litigator before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles, Calif. 

1. In December 2007, Judge Kim left the U.S. Attorney's office to become vice president at Stroz Friedberg LLC where he oversaw three west coast firm offices. 

2. He is considered a specialist in law and technology and has counseled corporations, law firms, and government agencies on data privacy, digital forensics, cybersecurity, and electronic discovery.

Judicial career

Central District of California

On April 11, 2016, Kim was sworn in as a federal magistrate judge on the United States District Court for the Central District of California in accordance with 28 U.S.C. Section 631 and governing regulations for the selection of magistrates. He succeeded retired Judge Carla Woehrle. His current term will expire on April 10, 2024.

Justice Kim's Biography was taken from Ballotpedia