Hon. Arnold H. Gold, Ret.
One of California’s most successful probate mediators, Judge Gold was recognized in 2006 as one of 30 Top Neutrals in California by the Daily Journal. His clients described him as a mediator who “does not simply shuttle between conference rooms with the next offer” but instead “he works the parties and their attorneys, challenging their positions and preconceived notions.” Judge Gold also received the prestigious Treat Award for Excellence from the National College of Probate Judges in 2006. Since his retirement from the Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Gold has conducted more than 350 probate mediations and maintains an exceptionally high settlement rate. He has also served as a referee, judge pro tempore, mediator or arbitrator in numerous large and complex civil and family law cases.

During nearly 13 years on the bench, Judge Gold handled a wide range of civil litigation. He spent many years assigned to Fast Track civil trials and -handling family law disputes, and served as Supervising Judge of the Probate Department. As a Justice pro tempore for Division 7 of the Second District Court of Appeal in 1996, Judge Gold authored the landmark insurance coverage opinion in Stonewall Insurance Company v. City of Palos Verdes Estates, and the compre-hensive probate fee opinion in Estate of Hilton. Judge Gold is an active member of numerous judicial and bar committees and associations. An expert on civil, family law and probate issues, he is a frequent lecturer on those topics for a multitude of organizations. He has written several chapters for California CEB publications and extensive materials for lawyers and the judiciary on references to referees and is the author or co-author of handbooks on depositions and on probate practice.

SPECIALIZES IN:

Family Law, Probate, Business Disputes, Entertainment, Professional Liability, Insurance Coverage, General Civil Litigation

ORGANIZATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Co-author of the Matthew-Bender Handbook on Depositions
  • Lead author of the 5-volume West Group California Civil Practice Module on “Probate and Trust Proceedings”
  • Listed as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” (first edition)
  • Member or former member: Judicial Council Probate and Mental Health Advisory Committee; Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees; Beverly Hills Bar Association; State Bar of California; American Bar Association
  • Former President, Los Angeles County Law Library Board of Trustees

EDUCATION:

  • J.D. (1955), Stanford University Managing Editor, Stanford Law Review
  • B.A. (1953), cum laude, Stanford University

AVAILABLE:

Statewide.