Paul is a senior counsel with The Eclipse Group LLP, with over seventeen years of experience. His practice focuses on intellectual property counseling and litigation. He has conducted both U.S. and international litigation related to a wide variety of technologies.
Paul possesses extensive experience in trademark, copyright, patent, trade dress, and trade secret business litigation, licensing and negotiation; intellectual property counseling and protection; and related business claims.
Paul’s clients are large U.S. and international corporations, which have included computer game developers, a software developer, a software distributor, a national pool products manufacturer and a vitamin manufacturer. He has served clients based in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and the People's Republic of China. He has assisted his clients in litigating claims of trademark, trade dress and copyright infringement, as well as providing counseling on strategies for intellectual property protection.
Paul has received numerous professional distinctions, including being named one of the "Top Bay Area Lawyers" for intellectual property litigation by Bay Area Lawyer Magazine (September/October 2005). He has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Paul is a frequent speaker with prominent industry associations including the American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association where he has served as a Keynote Speaker; the Game Developers Conference; and the Gamer Technology Conference.
Prior to joining The Eclipse Group LLP, Paul served as a partner at Rutter Hobbs & Davidoff, Inc. (Los Angeles). He was also associated with the firms of Bryan Cave LLP, as well as Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP.
- BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- MFA University of North Carolina, Greensboro
- J.D., Loyola Law School of Los Angeles, 1992
- Faculty Academic Honors Scholarship
- Saint Thomas More Honor Society
- Dean's List
- American Jurisprudence Award for Trial Advocacy
- American Intellectual Property Lawyers Association: Keynote Speaker, Winter Meeting 2006
- Named one of the "Top Bay Area Lawyers" for intellectual property litigation by Bay Area Lawyer Magazine, September/October 2005
- Supreme Court of North Carolina
- US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Zodiac v. Pentair (USDC, Southern District, California) Patent infringement. Settled in favor of client.
- Symantec v. eDirect (USDC, Southern District, California) Copyright infringement. Settled in favor of client.
- Microsoft v. eDirect (USDC, Montana) Copyright infringement. Settled in favor of client.
- Filemaker v. eDirect (USDC, Northern Distrct, California) Copyright infringement. Settled in favor of client.
- ALFA v. Beck (USDC, Northern District, Georgia) Trade mark infringement. Jury verdict in favor of client.
- Shamrock v. Dean (USDC, Arizona) Trade dress infringement. Settlement in client’s favor.
- Trendmasters v. Manley (USDC, Central District of California) Trade dress infringement. Settlement in client’s favor.
- Allion Co., Ltd. v. Betta Products, Inc. (USDC, Central District of California) Misappropriation of trade secrets. Settlement in client’s favor.
- Giochi Prezzioisi v. Mattel (USDC, Central District of California) Trade dress and copyright infringement. Settlement in favor of client.
- Pacfab v. Sunline et al. (USDC, Arizona) Trade dress infringement. Obtained $3.5 million dollar judgment for client on summary judgment.
- Energy Investments v. SF Hotel Co. (USDC, Middle District, Florida) Trademark infringement. Jury verdict in favor client/junior user of identical mark.
- Energy Investments v. SF Hotel Co. (11th Circuit Court of Appeals) Affirmed verdict in favor of client.
- Shamrock v. Travelers Insurance (USDC, Arizona) Insurance coverage action regarding advertising injury and trade dress infringement. Obtained summary judgment of coverage.
- KKUSA v. World et al. (USDC Central District of California) Trade dress infringement. Settlement in favor of client following successful summary judgment.
- Tamway v. USA Sport and Sunglass Hut International (USDC, Central District of California) Trademark and trade dress infringement action. Bench verdict in favor of client.
- State Farm v. Taico et al. (Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles) Products liability. Jury verdict in favor of client.