Synergy of Mind, Method and Technology
Golding + Lamothe takes synergy to the next level
When Jonathan Golding and Rae Lamothe decided they wanted to serve the public, dreams of making the world a better place by safeguarding legal rights beckoned them to law school. Through the firm Golding + Lamothe, Jonathan and Rae have developed a unique process to protect and serve their clients throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
In her earlier career in hotel management, Rae was successful because she understood the positions of both management and employees. Her heart told her that this unique ability to see and evaluate both sides of issues would be best served as an attorney, so off to law school she went.
Jonathan’s story began at a much younger age. His father was an attorney dedicated to helping companies and individuals with legal problems, and Jonathan’s heart was filled with the same aspirations. An undergraduate degree in philosophy cemented Jonathan’s foundation of logic, critical thinking and analysis, and he went directly to law school.
Synergy of Mind
Neither Jonathan nor Rae could have known that they would find in each other the shared values and hopes that would lead them not only to establishing a new kind of law firm, but to find in each other a lifelong partner and devoted spouse. Working together in their Los Angeles office, their combined 45 years of service is changing the way businesses and individuals—complainants or respondents—can remedy their legal issues.
Synergy of Method
Both Jonathan and Rae took a stand against courtroom brawls—they resolved to be the best at keeping money in clients’ pockets rather than attorneys’ bank accounts. To do that, they relied on their proven experience in ferreting out details regardless of whether they lie in the human resources, health care, wage and hour, construction, architecture, or other development and business categories.
To help businesses and individuals create viable, sustainable outcomes, Rae and Jonathan each play crucial roles. Human resources management issues are Rae’s forte whereas Jonathan’s talents center on construction from the planning and architectural stages through final contract fulfillment and representation. Combined with their proven history of successful mediation, Rae and Jonathan prepare and protect clients from the time they start their businesses through the establishment of initial policies and procedures, and through contract negotiations and final disposition.
Synergy of Technology
Before Rae and Jonathan formed their own firm, they worked for large corporations with huge staffs. But they believed there was a better way to run an efficient business. Rae explains, “Technology is an ongoing asset that humans can depend on for fast, accurate management of everything from document retention to time management to overall efficacy. It’s more efficient than a huge staff, and it helps serve our clients at lower costs.”
Jonathan adds, “We want to pass on our operating efficiencies in the form of savings for businesses and individuals who need help.”
Rae describes their mission by saying, “We’re here to solve problems and find ways to avoid huge court costs for our clients. Rushing into litigation doesn’t help us do that.”
Jonathan adds, “We resort to court only once all other options are exhausted.” So, “plan and avoid potential issues” became the Golding + Lamothe motto, and they vowed to stand by their convictions whether clients’ issues could be best served without any litigation at all, through mediation or by winning summary judgments.
Cottage Cheese?
In one case, Jonathan’s client specified that a certain European vendor be used to acquire the limestone for their new house, and that another specific European vendor be used to finish the stone using its proprietary method. The stone subcontractor provided the right stone, but after installation, the client was astounded. Instead of the smooth finish the client expected, the limestone looked like cottage cheese.
After an in-depth investigation, Golding + Lamothe took the subcontractor’s deposition, wherein he was forced to admit that he bought and finished the limestone using California vendors. Rae and Jonathan posed one final question to settle the matter: “Why didn’t you use the European vendor?” Of course, they knew the answer. Their investigation had already revealed that the subcontractor was in financial distress—he used cheaper, local vendors and paid his own obligations with the savings.
A $50 Million Cost Overrun?
Representing an architect, Jonathan performed an in-depth investigation as to why the owner of a new ballpark was being sued for a $50 million cost overrun. His consultant reviewed every contract, every invoice and every insurance policy with a fine-toothed comb until the story was clear.
The developer had been required to fast-track the project, and that seemingly benign detail impacted the parties’ contractual obligations regarding cost and schedule. Jonathan saved his client nearly $50 million.
Golding + Lamothe Philanthropy
Rae and Jonathan’s philanthropic service provides legal help for those in need through nonprofit boards and committees. They’ve held positions such as director of a legal services committee for homeless shelters in Santa Monica and chairperson for nonprofit school boards, and they serve for the local Chamber of Commerce. Their determination to help the less fortunate guides them in philanthropic and pro bono endeavors.
Whether it’s a modest family whose insurance company balks at the repair bill after broken water pipes ruin their home, uncovering fraud, winning summary judgments or saving a client $50 million, Rae and Jonathan fulfill the commitment they made in their days as novice attorneys. They are changing the way businesses and individuals remedy legal issues, and they’re keeping more money in clients’ pockets.
The End Goal
As always, the Golding + Lamothe mission to solve problems and find ways to avoid huge court costs remains doggedly in the forefront of the hearts and minds of Jonathan and Rae. Whether their clients prevail for modest home repairs or multimillion-dollar commercial cases, in the end, it all boils down to efficiently delivering the best possible legal outcomes.
Golding + Lamothe’s heart, mission and motto are helping to create a whole new standard of service and taking synergy to the next level.