About Us

Diane M. Goodman

Diane M. Goodman is a partner in the law firm of Goodman & Metz. She attended University of La Verne Law School in the San Fernando Valley, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in May, 1984. She was admitted to the California State Bar in November, 1984.

Ms. Goodman’s practice focuses on family law, including mediation, dissolution, paternity, adoption and guardianship matters with an emphasis on representing gay and lesbian litigants in adoption and custody proceedings.

Ms. Goodman is the past president of the Academy of California Adoption Lawyers and its subsidiary, the Academy of California Family Formation Lawyers. She served as a commissioner on the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women from 1980 – 1990, and Ms. Goodman is also a member of the Southern California Mediation Association, Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lawyers for Human Rights and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. She is the president of the Special Children’s Art Foundation.

Ms. Goodman was co-counsel for Lisa R. in the 2005 California Supreme Court ruling which upheld parentage judgments for same-sex couples. She has testified at hearings held by State agencies against proposed regulations to limit second parent adoptions. Ms. Goodman has spoken to a wide variety of community organizations regarding family law issues. She also regularly teaches legal continuing education classes in family law adoption and family formation.

Ms. Goodman lives with her life partner of over three decades and they have an adult son. In her spare time, she plays ice hockey.

Ms. Goodman is an A-V rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell. A-V is the highest level of legal competence and highest ethical standards possible.

Jordon Metz

Jordon Metz is a partner in the law firm of Goodman & Metz. His practice focuses on all phases of civil litigation, business law, and family law.

In the civil litigation arena, Mr. Metz is experienced in both Federal and State courts, including arbitration, mediation and trial. He represents clients in a broad range of matters including Americans with Disabilities Act claims, insurance coverage disputes, medical malpractice, product liability, wrongful death, personal injury, and breach of contract. In business law, Mr. Metz assists clients in business incorporation, contract, and other business needs.

In family law, Mr. Metz has worked on hundreds of cases dealing with every aspect of family law from paternity to palimony – divorce to child custody – and spousal and child support. He has experience in trying civil litigation matters and in handling all aspects of complex divorce cases.

With each and every client, Mr. Metz strives to obtain the best possible results for his clients. He works to communicate with his clients to make sure they are actively involved in the decision-making process and that they fully understand all aspects of his or her case. His goal is to spare the client undo stress and trauma in what is typically a very difficult life experience. Finding workable solutions – and helping clients move forward with their lives – are always his primary goals and a top priority.

Mr. Metz received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida in 1989. He attended the University of Florida Law School in Gainesville, Florida, graduating with a Juris Doctorate in May 1992.

Mr. Metz is licensed by the State Bar of California and was admitted to the United States District Court in December 1993. He is also a member of the Florida Bar where he was admitted to practice in 1994. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Margaret Byrne Ikeda

Margaret Byrne Ikeda, an associate attorney at Goodman & Metz, is involved in a variety of practice areas of family law, including: dissolutions; paternity actions; child custody and support; spousal support; property valuation and division of property; and domestic violence restraining orders.

Ms. Ikeda joined Goodman & Metz in 2006, expanding her knowledge of intricate family law matters.  Prior to working at Goodman & Metz, Ms. Ikeda worked at a high-profile family law firm as well as volunteering at the Legal Aid Society and working on behalf of low-income clients with domestic violence restraining orders and other family law matters.  Ms. Ikeda’s dedication to her clients, along with a sensitivity to each one's individual circumstances sets her apart from other attorneys.  During law school, Ms. Ikeda also gained significant family law knowledge representing clients in family law matters in the school’s Civil Practice Clinic and as the Senior Articles Editor for the American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law. 

Ms. Ikeda received her Bachelors of Science in Communication in 1995 from Boston University.  She received her Juris Doctorate in 2002 graduating cum laude from American University Washington College of Law.                        

Ms. Ikeda is licensed by the State Bar of California and was admitted to the United States District Court in December 2002.  She is a member of the American Bar Association and Los Angeles County Bar Association.

About the Firm

Founded in 1994, the Law Firm of Goodman & Metz, located in Southern California, is one of the leading experts in the field of Family Law, including domestic partnership and parentage issues. The firm provides both Family Law Mediation as well as litigation services. Goodman & Metz also has practice areas in Business Litigation and Personal Injury. The firm takes pride in providing personalized customer service to each client and getting the right result every time.