Paul helps clients resolve complex business and real estate disputes through litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation.

Paul represents clients in litigation relating to business and real estate disputes, condemnation and eminent domain, property tax appeals, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, federal and state securities laws, enforcement of noncompetition agreements, False Claims Act violations, and shareholder class action and derivative lawsuits. He is experienced in litigating cases in state and federal court, as well as in private arbitrations.

Services / Representative Cases:

Eminent Domain: Represents property owners and local government in eminent domain actions. Most recently, was an integral part of legal team representing property owners in obtaining the dismissal of eminent domain lawsuit. 

Commercial Landlord/Tenant and FED: Represents commercial tenants or landlords in lease disputes, including defense and prosecution of FED actions.

Property Management: Defended property management company and its principals on claims of breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract in a two-week arbitration that resulted in the dismissal of all claims and an award of attorney fees to clients.

Disputes Relating to Purchase and Sale of Real Property: Represents purchasers or sellers in disputes relating to the purchase and sale of real property. Representative case, represented property owner in successive arbitrations, first against the seller and then against the real estate broker, for fraud, negligent misrepresentation and negligence resulting in arbitration awards in favor of property owner in both cases.

Securities Litigation: Prosecutes and defends securities lawsuits on behalf of investors, brokers or professionals, including class actions and mass actions. Most recently, represented investors in a FINRA arbitration resulting in an award in favor of investors granting full rescission of investments plus attorney fees and costs.

Shareholder Derivative Litigation: Represents shareholders, officers, directors or companies in shareholder derivative lawsuits. Representative case, lead attorney in dismissal of derivative, fraud and RICO claims brought against director of a technology firm. Successfully defended appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

False Claims Act: Represents businesses in prosecuting or defending False Claims Act litigation. Integral part of legal team that successfully defended industrial client in a False Claims Act lawsuit. The lawsuit was dismissed at the trial court level. The dismissal was affirmed by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Commercial Contracts: Represents businesses and individuals in contract disputes. Most recently, obtained judgment in favor of client after bench trial seeking to enforce promissory note and guaranty.

Fraudulent Transfers: Represents creditors and debtors in cases involving alleged fraudulent transfers. Representative case, defended principals and their companies against claim by lender alleging fraudulent transfers. Successfully argued motion for directed verdict resulting in dismissal of claims against three of the four defendants at close of plaintiff’s case. The case was ultimately settled on favorable terms.

Trade Secret Claims / Noncompetition Agreements: Represents businesses or employees in prosecuting and defending disputes and litigation relating to trade secret rights and enforcement of noncompetition agreements.

Local Government and Administrative Claims: Represents local governments and businesses in claims relating to public contracting law, code enforcement cases, writ of review and commercial disputes. Most recently, settled claim on behalf of county against utility company for increased construction costs on road project based on company’s alleged failure to identify and move utilities located in the right-of-way.

Professional Activities

• Federal Bar Association, Member
• Multnomah Bar Association, Member 
• Oregon State Bar, Member
  • Real Estate & Land Use (RELU) Section, Executive Committee Member, 2019-present
  • Securities Regulations Section, 2005-present
    • Chair, 2011
    • Treasurer, 2010
    • Secretary, 2009
  • Tax Section
• Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Member
  • Business Litigation Section, Co-Chair, 2011