Geoffrey M. Gold, Attorney

Geoffrey M. Gold is a trial lawyer specializing in business and real estate matters and is Chairman of the Firm's Litigation department. Clients appreciate Geoff for his ability and proven track record in obtaining significant arbitration awards, favorable mediation results and settlements, grants of summary judgment and trial victories while keeping costs under control. Geoff has litigated to successful conclusion hundreds of cases over the past two decades, including contractual controversies, complex partnership disputes, insurance coverage challenges, business and personal injury torts, corporate dissolutions, conflicts between competitors and concerning unfair business practices, and issues arising in commercial and real estate transactions and pertaining to brokers, neighbors, and lease or buy-sell situations.

Geoff frequently acts as outside general counsel for small business clients and special counsel for large companies. He has particular expertise in working with developing businesses and assisting individual and corporate clients with their everyday legal affairs. Geoff, his wife and three sons live in Los Angeles.

Notable Results:

• Won jury trial defense verdict for a commercial machine shop sued by a trucking company for negligence, breach of contract, fraud and unfair business practices. Obtained award of costs and sanctions in excess of $40,000 even though there was no contractual fee provision. Result affirmed on appeal.
• Won arbitration award totaling over $400,000 for expert witness accounting firm against lawyer who had hired the firm but failed to pay the fee. Arbitration award affirmed by trial court. Result affirmed on appeal.
• Won dismissal on summary judgment of lawsuit seeking over $25 million for alleged oral breach of contract by decedent to transfer shares of public company.
• Successfully defended seller of real property against claims brought by listing broker. Won partial summary judgment and then judicial arbitration. Recovered over $75,000 in attorney's fees in settlement after broker attempted to dismiss without prejudice the day of trial.
• Won dismissal on summary judgment of claims for sexual assault and battery brought against physician. Won jury trial verdict in favor of doctor on his cross-complaint of defamation for over $2.35 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Case settled confidentially and favorably while on appeal.
• Won arbitration award in favor of a neurologist in a medical practice dispute. Defeated cross-claims and recovered six-figure amount including attorney's fees.
• Represented two orthopedic surgeons in a dispute with a third orthopedic surgeon over alleged partnership, division of accounts receivable, and cross-claims regarding rights to tangible and intangible property. Litigated the case to final decision in arbitration, defeating all cross-claims and winning award of over $500,000, including attorney's fees, with clients obtaining full recovery.
• Assisted major retailer tenant in a construction defect/breach of lease lawsuit against landlord relating to falling roof beams and structural issues at a large store in Orange County. Following mediation, obtained seven figure settlement and complete repair of the property by landlord.
• Assisted contractor/developer in dispute with alleged partner regarding six real estate projects involving buildings worth several million dollars. Complex dispute centered on oral agreements and contributions of labor and capital. Obtained expungement of lis pendens on property. Moved for summary judgment and settled case favorably in mediation.
• Represented partner/co-founder of music awards show regarding claims for breach of fiduciary duty. Resolved matter on terms highly favorable to the client with the client becoming the exclusive owner of all assets.
• Defended seller of three-unit building in Manhattan Beach against specific performance action after lis pendens was filed by buyers. Moved to compel arbitration. Won dismissal of case in favor of seller on a motion for judgment following opening statements in arbitration with a final award of over $105,000, including complete recovery of all costs and fees incurred and expenses for experts.
• Successfully represented post production studio tenant in North Hollywood against landlord in a suit regarding a leaky roof and resulting damages. Landlord property owner cross-claimed against contractors, turning suit into a complex, multi-party construction defect case. Following mediation, obtained settlement in mid six figures in favor of tenant as compensation and complete fix of the property.
• Prosecuted specific performance complaint on behalf of prospective tenant-purchaser holder of a Culver City commercial real property lease option. Moved for summary judgment and with motion pending, matter settled in mediation with client recovering payment of $75,000 for attorney's fees and costs as well as stipulated order granting specific performance and delivery of possession of real property.
• Filed specific performance suit in support of lis pendens against landowner who made false representations to induce buyer to cancel escrow of industrial property in South San Francisco. Litigated case through arbitration based on fraud/breach of contract theory and won order by arbitrator mandating specific performance. Secured entry of judgment and recovered over $75,000 in fees and costs, enabling buyer to successfully complete purchase of property.
• Won bench trial in commercial suit brought against printing business. Decision granted full recovery of attorney's fees and costs in excess of $20,000 to client.
• Defended developer against suit brought by a municipality for seven figure amount for charges allegedly due under a joint development agreement. Cross-complained for double the amount sought by the municipality and resolved case in mediation on highly favorable terms, with developer receiving net positive recovery.
• Successfully represented seller of commercial property in compelling buyer to purchase according to contract. Obtained summary adjudication in arbitration allowing specific performance in favor, thereby forcing the sale at original price and requiring payment of costs incurred by buyer.
• Brought suit against life insurance carrier and agent for fraud in connection with sale of vanishing premium policy. Obtained settlement in seven figures that fully compensated client and recovered attorney's fees approaching $100,000.
• Sued carrier for failing to issue properly promised policy and agent who embezzled premium. Obtained settlement paying for attorney's fees in excess of $50,000 and full coverage of defense and indemnity on personal injury claim where there had been an initial denial of coverage.
• Represented family member in a dispute over ownership of four properties allegedly held in trust or partnership. Case settled favorably before dispositive rulings as court took summary judgment motion under submission three weeks before trial date.
• Represented 50% owners of a travel company regarding dissolution of their business partnership. Litigated case to successful conclusion in arbitration with six figure award in favor of clients and dismissal of all cross-claims. Handled and negotiated residual break-up and regulatory issues.
• Won bench trial verdict in favor of financial company seeking to collect fees for services, plus attorney's fees and costs.
• Won full amount requested in jury trial for law firm suing to recover for professional services.
• Won non-suit in jury trial in favor of defendant homeowner in action brought by contractor.
• Successfully concluded partition action involving six properties in West Los Angeles.  Obtained interlocutory judgment appointing referee.
• Won summary judgment for plaintiff to recover possession of property in unlawful detainer proceeding. Defeated challenges for motion of reconsideration. Prevailed on appeal.

Publications:

• On the Inside, January 26, 2009
  The Real Estate Broker's Top 5 Practical Tips for Avoiding Common Liabilities, by Geoff Gold
• Legal Update, Winter 2009 (PDF file)
  Beware the Unscrupulous Real Estate Broker, by Geoff Gold
• RHD Case Update, June 2008 (PDF File)
  Scrivener Beware in Real Estate Contracts, by Geoff M. Gold
• Legal Update, Winter 2007 (PDF file)
  Avoiding the "Failure To Disclose" Lawsuit, by Geoff M. Gold
• Legal Update, Summer 2005 (PDF file)Compelling Specific Performance of a Real Estate Contract, by Geoff Gold
• Legal Update, Fourth Quarter, 2003  (PDF file)
  Mending Fences, by Geoff Gold

Industry Experience:

• Apparel/Textile
• Communications
• Construction
• Direct Response/Infomercial
• Distribution
• Financial Services
• Food & Beverage
• Health & Beauty
• Healthcare/Biotechnology
• Manufacturing
• New Media/Entertainment
• Professional Services
• Real Estate
• Retail
• Technology 

Assistant:
Alma Collins
Phone: (310) 286-1700
acollins@rutterhobbs.com