Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
5.0 /5.0
18 Client Reviews
$ 425-550 per hour
PRO
Dara J. Goldsmith
also known as Dara J. Gelbman, Dara J. Goldsmith Esq.
Virtual Consultation Available
About Dara
Biography
Dara Goldsmith was born and raised in Southern California. At the age of 16, Dara started college at California State University Northridge and at age 20 earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics with an emphasis in Finance. While at Northridge, Dara pledged Alpha Phi. She was very involved in on campus activities and was honored to be selected the University's 25th Homecoming Queen. After graduating from Northridge, Dara attended law school at Pepperdine University School of Law. While at Pepperdine, Dara became interested in furthering her education in taxation. Upon earning her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine, Dara took the California bar examination and thereafter moved across the country to attend the University of Miami where she earned her Masters in Tax Law (LL.M.) While attending the U, Dara took and passed the Arizona bar examination.
After graduating from the University of Miami, Dara moved to Las Vegas to take the Nevada Bar Exam, her third bar examination. Dara began her legal career in Las Vegas in 1991 practicing law with a prominent law firm before joining forces with Marjorie Guymon to establish Goldsmith & Guymon in 1996. In 2002, Dara successfully passed the Hawaii bar examination.
Dara has always believed in giving back to the community. As a new lawyer, she got involved with the Clark County Bar Association where she chaired the Trial By Peers program for a number of years before being elected to the Executive board where she ultimately served as President of the Clark County Bar Association in 2000. Dara served on the Nevada Community Foundation from 1996 to 2008 and was the Chairperson for three years. During that period, Dara was elected by her peers to serve on the State Bar of Nevada's Board of Governors from 2001-2009. After completing 8 years on the Board of Governors, Dara was appointed to serve on the Nevada Law Foundation/Justice League of Nevada where she is currently serving as Chairperson.
Dara was awarded the Lloyd D. George Award of Professionalism in 2007 presented by the Clark County Bar Association and State Bar of Nevada, an honor that she is very proud of receiving. Additionally she holds an AV Preeminent rating which is the highest rating as voted by her Peers and recognized through Martindale Hubbell.
When Dara is not busy with her legal and community service pursuits, she may be found in the swimming pool. Dara is a competitive swimmer on Las Vegas Masters Swim Team and competes in swim meets throughout the country. She has also completed more than 12 half marathons, numerous sprint and Olympic distance triathlons, and her first half Ironman Triathlon, California Ironman in 2013. Since then she has competed in two others and had completed her first marathon in 2015.
Dara is married to Michael Goldsmith. They have two teenage sons with whom they enjoy traveling to exotic places and participating in family adventures, like running races, open water swimming, and hiking to wonderful destinations like the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru and the Top of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
As an estate, trust and guardianship attorney with 27 years experience, I am ready to assist you.
With 27 years experience in administering and litigating guardianship matters, I can assist you
Happy to assist in all probate matters, small and easy to large and complex.
Practice Areas
16
Practice Areas
Other
10%
Animal Law
6%
Bankruptcy and Debt
6%
Business
6%
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2020 2019 2018
...
+
5
Licenses
Licensed in Nevada for 34 years
State: Nevada
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Licensed in California for 34 years
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Licensed in Hawaii for 23 years
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in Arizona for 34 years
State: Arizona
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Goldsmith & Guymon
2055 Village Center Cir, Las Vegas, NV, 89134
goldguylaw.com/attorney/dara-j-goldsmith/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Dara online.
Dara J. Goldsmith's Reviews
Dara J. Goldsmith's Lawyer Endorsements
"I admire Ms. Goldsmith's contributions to this site and her timely responses to inquiries. I endorse this lawyer."
"I met Dara Goldsmith because we both are members of the Nevada state bar's section on probate and related matters. When I run into a difficult issue I ask for, receive and value her opinion."
"I have long been aware of Dara's reputation in the field of elder law but recently saw it displayed first hand when she represented a proposed ward in a guardianship matter with intelligence and sensitivity. She was also able to use her knowledge of VA benefits to navigate a contentious case."
"Dara is a good lawyer! Very knowledgible. I think she could handle many estate law matters well."
"The time a lawyer spends giving back through sites like this show passion for the law and compassion for people. Kudos to you for helping others with sage advice."
"I not only endorse this attorney, I give this attorney 5 stars! Well respected in the community and proven to be effective."
"I endorse this lawyer. Knowledgeable, talented and thorough attorney."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Knowledgeable and well-versed attorney. An asset to the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had an opportunity to review numerous responses Ms. Goldsmith has provided in the Avvo forum, and her detailed answers demonstrate her extensive knowledge and understanding of the law. I recommend her"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Very knowledgeable attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"The answers of Ms. Goldsmith are very thoughtful and consistently accurate, analytic, and customized tothe needs of the Avvo asker. These are exactly the qualities that every client would look for when hiring an attorney."
"Dara is a dedicated attorney here in Las Vegas who helps families and individuals with planning for the most challenging facets of their lives. She is a credit to the legal profession and I'm proud to endorse her as an outstanding member of the Bar."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have seem many of Ms. Goldsmith's Avvo posts and they are clear and to the point. She is a valued contributor to the Avvo community."
"Ms. Goldsmith is an excellent attorney who works hard to obtain the best possible result for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Goldsmith is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. She is a strong and zealous advocate for her clients and true credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend her legal services."
Lester Berman
Real estate lawyer
Marjorie Guymon
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Rebecca Burton
Family lawyer
Phillip Aurbach
Commercial real estate lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Guardianship Attorney of the Year, Nevada Legal Services
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Southern Nevada Senior Law Program
2014
Medal of Justice Award, State Bar of Nevada
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada
2011
President's Award, State Bar of Nevada
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyers, Mountain States Super Lawyers
2010
Preeminent 5 out of 5 Attorney, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
Super Lawyers, Mountain States Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyers, Mountain States Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Lloyd D. George Professionalism Award, State Bar Board of Nevada & Clark County Bar Association
2004
Nevada Women of Distinction (Philanthropy), National Association of Women Business Owners
2002
AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2001
Top 40 Under 40, In Business Magazine
1999
President's Award, Clark County Bar Association
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
1996 - Present
Shareholder, Goldsmith & Guymon
1900 - Present
Shareholder, Goldsmith & Guymon, P.C.
Associations
2010 - 2016
Nevada Law FoundationBoard of Trustees, Chairperson (2011-present)
2008 - 2014
Clark County Law FoundationBoard of Trustees, Secretary 2011- present)
2001 - 2009
State Bar of NevadaBoard of Governors
1998 - 2010
Nevada Community FoundationBoard of Directors
1993 - 2000
Clark County Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
In the Matter of the Tiffany Trust
Affirmed by Nevada Supreme Court.
Education
1994
University of Miami
LL.M - Master of Laws
1991
University of Miami
LLM
1990
Pepperdine Univ SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
California State University, Northridge
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2009
AARP National Convention, Las Vegas, NV
Advanced Directives
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Dara earned significant contribution points in 2020.
Legal Answers
Q&A
What case law would support a minor trust account for my daughter while receiving survivor social se
06 Apr 2026
Q&A
Do i have a right to take claim to my mother's and stepfather house if both names were on title.
01 Apr 2026
Q&A
My uncle received my dads settlement money after he passed away and kept it to his self
31 Mar 2026
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Making a list to accompany a Will
16 Aug 2013
Legal Guide
Nevada's Living Will Lockbox
16 Aug 2013
Legal Guide
Tax Exempt Gifting in 2013
16 Aug 2013