Sokoloff was born in Danville, California, to Howard Sokoloff, a doctor, and Cindi Sussman, a former caterer. She is Jewish. Sokoloff is an alumna of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Sokoloff has dated actors James Franco and Shane West who both starred with her in the teen flick Whatever It Takes. As of 2004, she has been dating composer and drummer Alec Puro.

In 1993, Sokoloff began acting at the age of twelve, when she was cast as Gia Mahan in the sitcom Full House.

In 1998, her breakthrough role came when she was cast in the drama The Practice as Lucy Hatcher. The 5 ft. 3 in. Sokoloff also had a three-episode stint as a nanny in Desperate Housewives. Along with other popular appearances, she is well remembered as Joey's pregnant sister Dina in Read more...

Sokoloff enjoys music and has a large guitar collection. She sang and played rhythm guitar in LA-based rock band Smittin until 2003 when she struck out on her own. On 17 February 2006, she released her first solo CD, called Grateful.