Hon. Dianna Gould-Saltman (Ret.)

MEDIATOR | ARBITRATOR | JUDGE PRO TEM | DISCOVERY REFEREE | PARENT PLAN COORDINATOR

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"As I transition into my role at Signature Resolution as a mediator, arbitrator, and judge pro tem, I am eager to apply my decades of experience to guide individuals towards constructive resolutions in their family law matters. What excites me most is the opportunity to facilitate meaningful dialogue and foster understanding, ultimately helping families navigate through challenging times with compassion and integrity."

Case Administrator

Practice Areas

  • Family Law

Education

  • J.D., Southwestern University School of Law 
  • B.A., University of California, Irvine

Biography

Hon. Dianna Gould-Saltman (Ret.) is a well-respected family law attorney and was a Los Angeles Superior Court judge. She brings 40 years of experience and a deep understanding of the human complexities that often accompany legal disputes to her new role as Signature Resolution mediator, arbitrator, and judge pro tem.

Judge Gould-Saltman’s distinguished career in law is marked by extensive judicial service and a substantial background in family law. She gained support from the family law bar and was appointed to the bench in 2010. Shortly after joining the bench, she transitioned to family law, where she presided over multi-week trials of high-net-worth parties, including complex child custody cases. Judge Gould-Saltman most recently sat in a direct trial (long cause) family law court in the Los Angeles Superior Court from 2017 until her retirement from the bench in 2024. Prior to her taking the bench, she practiced family law for 25 years and was certified as a family law specialist in 1992.

Motivated by a passion for connecting with people and understanding human behavior, Judge Gould-Saltman pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine. She then pursued her juris doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law. She began her family law career in 1984 at the Law Offices of Lorraine C. Gollub. In 1994, she opened her own practice.  Her firm achieved great success, and within two years, her husband, also a certified family law specialist, joined her in managing the firm’s caseload. They were partners for over 13 years, specializing in family law litigation, negotiation, and mediation, before she took the bench.

In addition to her professional experience, Judge Gould-Saltman is also an experienced teacher, lecturer and scholar. She is a Judicial Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Law, having been elected to the Academy in 1996, a month after she first qualified for fellowship. She is also a Judicial Fellow of the International Academy of Family Law and served as the 2018-2019 President of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. She received the Pasadena Bar Association Family Law Section 2013 Family Law Judge of the Year award, the AAML, Southern California Chapter 2014 Don Mike Anthony Award as Los Angeles County Family Law Judge of the Year, the Levitt and Quinn Family Law Center 2015 Outstanding Community Service Award, the 2015 Association of Certified Family Law Specialists Hall of Fame Award, the 2023 AFCC John E. Van Duzer Distinguished Service Award, and the Los Angeles County Bar, Family Law Section’s 2023 Spencer Brandeis Award, among many other awards and recognitions.

Experience

  • Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court (2010-2024)  
  • Partner, Gould-Saltman Law Offices, LLP (1997-2010)  
  • Owner, Gould-Saltman Law Offices (1994-1996) 
  • Associate, Law Offices of Lorraine C. Gollub (1984-1994) 

Professional Achievements and Memberships

  • John E. Van Duzen Distinguished Service Award, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2023)
  • Spencer Brandeis Award, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section (2023) 
  • President, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2018-2019) 
  • President Elect, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2017-2018)
  • Vice President, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2016-2017)
  • Secretary, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2015-2016)
  • Community Service Award, Levitt & Quinn Family Law Center (2015)  
  • Certified Family Law Specialists Hall of Fame, Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (2015)
  • Los Angeles County Judge of the Year (Don Mike Anthony Award recipient), American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Southern California Chapter (2014)
  • Family Law Judge of the Year, Pasadena Bar Association Family Law Section (2013)
  • Certificate of Appreciation, American Psychological Association Division of Family Psychology (2008)
  • Conference Co-Chair, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts California Chapter (2008) 
  • Member, American Bar Association Family Law Section Leadership Council (2007-2010) 
  • Co-Chair, American Bar Association Family Law Section Ethical Practice and Procedures (2007-2008)  
  • National Board of Directors, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2007-2010, 2011-2020)
  • Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (2007) 
  • International Board Member, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2006-2013, 2014-2020)
  • Chair, American Bar Association Family Law Section Ethical Practice and Procedures (2006-2007, 2008-2010) 
  • Co-Vice Chair, American Bar Association Family Law Section Ethical Practice and Procedures (2005-2006)
  • Top 50 Women Lawyers in Southern California, L.A. Magazine (2005)
  • Chair, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section (2004-2005)
  • Child Custody Evaluation Task Force, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (2004-2006)
  • Chair, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (2004-2005) 
  • Superlawyers, L.A. Magazine (2004-2010)  
  • Top 50 Women Lawyers in Southern California, L.A. Magazine (2004)
  • Chair-Elect, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section (2003-2004)
  • Chair-Elect, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (2003-2004)
  • Counsel, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Southern California Chapter (2003-2004)
  • Member, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Journal of Child Custody Board of Editors (2003-2013)
  • Vice-Chair, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (2002-2003)
  • Vice-President of Programs, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Southern California Chapter (2001-2003)
  • Secretary, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (2001-2002)
  • Executive Committee Member, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Southern California Chapter (2000-2004)
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service (1999-2002)
  • Executive Committee Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section (1997-2005, 2018-Present)
  • Family Law Section Chair, National Association of Women Lawyers (1998-1999)
  • Member, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Institutional Review Board (1998-2002) 
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association LRIS Advisory Committee (1997-2002)
  • Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association Family Law Section Executive Committee (1997-Present) 
  • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (1996) 
  • Member, State Bar of California Committee on Women in the Law (1993-1995)
  • Member, California Women Lawyers Board of Governors (1993-1995)
  • Member, Culver-Marina Bar Association Board of Trustees (1993-1994) 
  • Individual AV rating, Martindale Hubbell (1993) 
  • First Vice President, ACLU of Southern California (1992) 
  • Chair, ACLU of Southern California Children’s Rights Committee (1989-1994) 
  • Co-Chair, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Family Law Section (1989-1991)
  • Member, ACLU of Southern California Board of Directors (1988-1994)  
  • Member, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Board of Governors (1988-1993)