Paul is a highly educated, skilled Neutral with legal and managerial experience that is both broad and deep.  He has dealt with complex problems in sophisticated business settings. Paul brings a balanced perspective to challenging problems and disputes. He is impartial, reasonable and ethical in his business dealings. He is regarded as a "people" person and an expert in effective dispute resolution.

Paul is an active member of many professional associations that advance his ability to stay on top of legal developments and the best ADR techniques. 

NOTICE

Please be aware that anyone who uses this firm name or similar name or this firm's contact information to collect a past debt is likely to be a scam. Verify the nature of the call before paying an alleged debt as the demand may be fraudulent.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Paul has held significant roles and responsibilities:

• Mediator
• Employment & Labor Attorney
• Senior Executive:
  • Legal Department Manager
  • Compliance Manager
  • Human Resources Manager
• Employee Advocate
• Trainer
• Facilitator
• Investigator
• Lecturer
• Consultant
• Team Leader

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education

Paul's expertise as a neutral, attorney, manager and employee advocate is harmonized with academic training from the nation's leading academic institutions:

Vanderbilt School of Law ('91) (Awarded Douglas Bell Memorial Prize - unanimous recognition by Law School faculty of student who most demonstrated leadership, ethics and service)

Cornell University, School of Industrial and Labor Relations ('86)

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LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

Paul is a licensed attorney by the State Bar of California and he is in good standing. He is eligible to practice law in all California Courts, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal.

Paul holds a certificate in Mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and a certificate as an Early Neutral Case Evaluator from the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. He has also been certified as a Commercial Arbitrator by the American Arbitration Association.

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ADR Panel Appointments

Paul has been appointed as an Early Neutral Case Evaluator and Mediator for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.

Paul has been appointed Mediator by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Paul has been selected to join the Mediation and Arbitration Panels for the Bar Association of San Francisco.

Paul has been appointed to the Mediation and Arbitration Panels for the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco.

Paul has been appointed to the Mediation Panels for the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.

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PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS

Paul is an active participant and leader in local, state and national bar associations:

• Alameda County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Corporate Counsel
• Bar Association of San Francisco (Insurance Section Chair)
• California Association of Black Lawyers (General Counsel)
• Charles Houston Bar Association (General Counsel)
• National Bar Association
• State Bar of California

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LECTURES

Paul has lectured on a variety of topics for prestigious organizations and educational institutions nation-wide:

"The Electronic Curtain: Data Privacy Law," American Corporate Counsel Association, October 2005

"Consequences of Identity Theft," National Bar Association, Government Attorneys August 2005

"Are English-Only Policies a 'No-Go'?" National Industry Liaison Group, August 2002

"Effectively Responding to State and Federal Agency Inquiries, Investigations, Audits, and Inspections", Council on Education in Management, 1999

"How to Select and Retain Top Employees," Institute of Business Law, November 1996

"Conducting Workplace Investigations," National Employment Lawyers' Council Conference Panelist, May 1996

"Can Considering Race Make Equality A Reality?" School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University, October 1995;

"Developing Effective Hiring and Retention Efforts in a Politically Correct Business Culture," Institute of Business Law, October 1995

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CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Paul is demonstrably an engaged and active civic leader and public servant who is committed to building strong community. One of his favorite quotes is from President Woodrow Wilson who said: "You are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world."

Paul has held the following elective or appointive offices:

• Oakland East Bay Symphony (President of the Board, twice elected)
• Oakland Planning Commission (Appointed by then Mayor Jerry Brown)
• Oakland Arts Commission (Appointed by then Mayor Jerry Brown)
• Oakland Public Ethics Commission (Appointed by Mayor Elihu Harris)
• Wiley Manuel Law Foundation
• Oakland City Council, candidate (Recognized by Oakland Chamber of Commerce as endorsement-worthy)
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Life Member, Oakland/Hayward Chapter President
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Service Award Recipient

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PERSONAL INTERESTS

Paul enjoys running marathons, politics, reading non-fiction, wine tasting and travel.

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