Gould Law Associates

03/22/2026

Lovely remembrance about a film and of children having opportunity to develop.

What a 40-year-old movie told me about childhood today.

02/20/2024

Never mistake your ego, or your insistent self, for your true self.

03/25/2023

It’s good to look around you.

10/15/2019

If you consider entering a commercial lease for your business, new or old, approach it or have your attorney approach it with a great rigor that looks to insert statements of your rights or expectations and curb powers in your landlord. There is a body of law--often expressed as the "implied covenant of quiet enjoyment"--which should operate to read into the lease provisions protective of the tenant's interests, but many judges don't know this law well and look to the language that is in the lease. That language of course is designed for the landlord's benefit not the tenants, which is why you need to ensure there is language added for your interests as a tenant.

04/24/2019

A lawyer employs his or her skill and experience in service of the goals of the client. A lawyer should always conscientiously advise the client about the reasonableness of any goal but ultimately be obedient to what the client elects to achieve.

10/26/2018

Sometimes to get along, we acquiesce to accepting less than what is right and just. On such occasions, consider what you are creating in doing so. Does the person or persons hold you in greater esteem or show a willingness to be similarly generous? Does it contribute to a deeper, better relationship? Or do you simply feel lessened?
To help avoid that result I offer an insight from this statement by Baha'u'llah: "The purpose of justice is the appearance of unity." If something is just, people will generally be able to reconcile themselves to it even though it may cause them some temporary inconvenience. They will continue in relationship with you and, if you are consistent in being fair, the trust factor in it will deepen and together you will be more effective. In this type of situation, though, don't lose your good will and kindly heart because that will make what you must say more palatable.

06/15/2018

STARTING ON THE RIGHT FOOT
It is not just the legal. Before considering doing business with someone, determine their integrity and their respect for the interests of others. Consider how they might act when circumstances change and difficulties arise. Be clear-eyed about this and if you have doubts look for another business partner. There is an old expression: that locks are not to keep bad people out--because a bad person will break the lock-- but to keep good people honest. A contract operates in the same way--to keep good people honest. When circumstances change, seeming to favor one and not the other, you can go back to it and reestablish your original, common ground and maintain unity. Consider the results that flow from a partner who without integrity breaks the contract to seek his or her own advantage.

05/29/2018

One of the problems in facing a difficult problem with legal aspects can be not knowing what you are up against. It is important for an attorney put their clients in the know. It reduces anxiety because you, the client, realize you have clear choices and are placed more in control.

05/03/2018

A good quality for an attorney is wisdom. Solving difficult problems requires it. Laws provide the skeleton but then there are the human needs and aspirations involved and above all justice or fairness. We all like the story of Solomon and his adjudication of the dispute over a child by two women. His solution penetrated to the reality of the situation and didn't stop at formalities.

07/12/2017

Justice is a sure guide for humanity and humans. Without it, we are lost in a trackless wasteland pulled by the wisps and whims of human imaginings.