He served in the United States Army during World War I.
He was associate general counsel for the Joint Congressional Committee Investigating Pearl Harbor in 1946.
[1] Kaufman received a recess appointment from President Harry S. Truman on June 22, 1948, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated by Judge John Bright.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 31, 1949, and received his commission on February 2, 1949.
He assumed senior status due to a certified disability on July 31, 1955.