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Mark A. Goldman

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Mark A. Goldman is an attorney and real estate entrepreneur who is notable for his work on the Marvin v. Marvin palimony case in the 1970s, as well as his co-founding of a real estate company in Southern California.

Marvin v. Marvin case

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Goldman was co-counsel for actor Lee Marvin in Marvin v. Marvin, a case that spanned through the 1970s. Michelle Triola, Marvin's ex-live-in girlfriend, sued Marvin for the equivalent of spousal support, or "palimony". Triola's attorney, Marvin Mitchelson, vowed to show that "an unmarried couple lives exactly like a married couple" and were subject to the same property laws upon separation; in response, Goldman agreed that the trial would "test [the] acceptance of alternative lifestyles."[1] Mitchelson said that the case "is going to affect everyone who ever has a date", according to the Associated Press.[2]

Goldman authored the legal briefs for Marvin in the case.[3][4] His California Supreme Court brief received praise from the court in a footnote, which stated: "We wish to commend the parties and amici for the exceptional quality of the briefs and argument in this case."[5]

The high court's decision gave Michelle Triola, actor Marvin's ex-girlfriend, an opportunity to prove they had an oral agreement for her post-relationship support. Goldman vowed that his client Marvin would "make no effort" to settle the suit but would instead go to trial against Triola.[6] He told the Washington Post, "If you want to get rid of a partner, if you want to break up, it's much smoother to get married now because there are established court procedures. This is a much dirtier fight... The claims are getting more farfetched. These are bedroom contracts. There are never any witnesses. There's never any corroborating evidence. Some of the claims may be legitimate, but there's no way to distinguish the frivolous from the legitimate."[7]

Goldman estimated that Marvin's attorneys dedicated $300,000 worth of time to the case, plus expenses.[8] After the conclusion of the trial, Goldman told the press, "Judge Marshall has totally sustained Lee Marvin's position." Marvin himself called the result "sensational".[9] Though Goldman and the rest of Marvin's trial team maintained "a low profile in contrast to Mitchelson's high one",[10] Goldman's comments to the press during the trial were praised as "disarmingly blunt".[11]

Goldman also testified at a state Senate Judiciary Hearing concerning a bill to limit the effect of the Supreme Court's ruling; the bill did not pass.[12] Goldman had opined that the bill would give rise to fraudulent claims.[13]

The Real Estate Exchange

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On January 3, 1977, Goldman co-founded the Real Estate Exchange with partners Jack Guber and Myles B. "Skip" Zeleny.[14] The company secured $10 million in business in its first three months.[15] By July 1977, the firm had grown to three offices, including one in Beverly Hills.[16] The partners sold the firm, whose 1977 sales totaled more than $24 million, to competitor Fred Sands in 1979.[17]

References

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  1. ^ Elias, Thomas D. (9 January 1979). "Lee Marvin Case Zeroes In On Rights Of Cohabitating Unmarried Couples". Sacramento Bee: 15.
  2. ^ "Marvin trial in 10th week". Camarillo Star/Associated Press: 5. 20 March 1979.
  3. ^ "Marvin case briefs filed". Camarillo Star: 17. 5 April 1979.
  4. ^ Luther, Claudia (5 April 1979). "Final Briefs Are Offered in Marvin Case". Los Angeles Times: 48.
  5. ^ "Marvin v. Marvin". law.justia.com. Justia. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Marvin: No Property Sharing Agreement". Fresno Bee. 30 December 1976.
  7. ^ Farley, Ellen (14 August 1978). "The Complications Of Companionship Vs. Holy Matrimony". Miami Herald/Washington Post Service: 138.
  8. ^ Deutsch, Linda (22 April 1979). "Michelle Marvin's attorney wants state to pay fees". San Bernardino County Sun/Associated Press: 10.
  9. ^ Luther, Claudia (19 April 1979). "Marvin Called Legal Winner in Decision". Los Angeles Times: 19.
  10. ^ Price-Root, Susan (18 January 1979). "Marvin case causes confusion for lawyers". Press and Sun-Bulletin: 17.
  11. ^ "Bedfellows making strange laws". Ventura County Star: 48. 30 November 1977.
  12. ^ "Community Property for Unweds?". The Hartford Sentinel: 14. 24 November 1977.
  13. ^ "Legislation to limit rights of unmarried couples criticized". San Bernardino County Sun: 4. 23 November 1977.
  14. ^ "Marine Exchange Succeeds". Westchester-Ladera Observer: 14. 2 March 1977.
  15. ^ "R.E. Exchange becomes instant success". Los Angeles Times: 151. 23 April 1977.
  16. ^ "More Than 300 Gather for New Marina Office Opening". Los Angeles Times: 144. 16 July 1977.
  17. ^ "Fred Sands acquires fast-growing firm". Los Angeles Times: 150. 1 July 1978.
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