For families facing the stress of a probate dispute or a DMV hearing, the choice of legal representation can make all the difference. Rodney Gould, who leads the Law Office of Rodney Gould in Sherman Oaks, has spent more than three decades navigating these complex areas of law, and his extensive litigation background sets him apart in the field.
Gould's legal career began in 1991 as a civil prosecutor for the United States Postal Service, where he handled mail fraud cases in Washington, D.C. He later served as a special assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia with the Department of Justice, before moving into private practice. There, he represented major national companies including Starbucks, MCI, USAA, and Bank of America. This combination of government litigation and corporate defense work shapes his approach to probate and administrative cases today.
Probate disputes often arise when heirs disagree, wills are challenged, or administration drags on due to unclear documents. Gould has handled numerous probate cases in Superior Courts across California and has argued appeals in several districts of the California Courts of Appeal. His litigation experience means he has stood in front of a judge defending an estate plan, not just drafted one. His probate practice covers trust administration, affidavits of heirship, and determination of heirship cases, as well as the estate planning documents—wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance directives—that frequently become the subject of disputes.
Outside of probate court, Gould's firm also represents clients at DMV hearings, an area that can have serious consequences for a person's ability to drive, work, or maintain independence. These hearings involve their own procedures and deadlines, and having an attorney who understands how to present a case to a state agency can change the outcome. Gould's litigation experience, built across federal and state courtrooms, carries directly into how he prepares clients for these proceedings.
Gould grew up in Michigan and earned his bachelor's degree from Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois, before completing his law degree at the University of Illinois College of Law. He now runs his practice out of Sherman Oaks, serving clients throughout the Los Angeles area. He also stays active in the community, serving on the boards of organizations including AIDS Project Los Angeles, Project Angel Food, his alma mater Eureka College, the National City Christian Church Foundation, the Disciples Seminary Foundation, and Christian Church Homes of Northern California.
A contested probate case or an unexpected DMV hearing can upend a family's finances and daily life quickly. Having an attorney who has litigated these exact issues, rather than one who only handles the paperwork side, gives families a real advocate when things get complicated. Gould's decades in courtrooms across the country back up the guidance he gives clients facing these situations. For families in Los Angeles dealing with these challenges, the Law Office of Rodney Gould offers a free consultation to discuss the details of a case.
