David J. Golde

David Golde (“David”) was born in Ohio and moved with his family to Los Angeles, California in 1953. He earned his BA in Political Science from UCLA in 1962 and his JD from the UCLA School of Law in 1965. While an undergraduate at UCLA he was appointed the cadet Wing Commander of the Air Force ROTC program and upon graduation was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force Reserve.

David was admitted to the practice of law in California on June 7, 1965 and was ordered to active duty in the US Air Force, Department of the Judge Advocate General. As an Air Force Assistant Staff Judge Advocate he gave legal assistance to military personnel, prosecuted and defended Courts Martial, conducted clemency reviews for Air Force prisoners at Fort Leavenworth, and processed claims for military and civilian personnel at a remote site in Peshawar, Pakistan. While in Pakistan he taught Business Law for the University of Maryland, Overseas Division.

After release from active duty he returned to Los Angeles and started his civilian legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Los Angeles County, California. Thereafter he worked as an Insurance Defense Counsel and later entered private practice.

In 1997 he moved to Redding, CA and was appointed as the Family Law Facilitator for the Superior Courts of California in Shasta County and Trinity County. While in Redding he also taught Paralegal Studies for Shasta College. In 2000 he moved to Contra Costa County and practiced Family Law with a local firm and in 2015 started his career as a private Judge. He served on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa Family Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association. David joins the firm to provide neutral services including mediation and private judging.