Los Angeles County Superior Court offers employee buyouts

The Los Angeles County Superior Court has introduced a Voluntary Separation Incentive Program to address a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. The program offers eligible full-time employees a one-time $35,000 buyout to voluntarily resign by Christmas Eve.

To qualify, employees must have at least five years of continuous service. The offer applies broadly to regular full-time staff but excludes specific roles such as law clerks, court reporters, interpreters, probate investigators, and family court mediators. Those who accept the buyout will have their positions permanently eliminated and will be barred from rehire for one year.

Court officials, including Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II and Executive Officer David W. Slayton, noted that escalating operational costs have outpaced available budget resources. A similar program launched in 2024 reportedly resulted in approximately $4 million in ongoing budget savings.