A member in Dickinson Wright’s Chicago office, Paul is a distinguished litigator known for his success in product liability and complex commercial litigation. With over two decades of experience, he has represented clients ranging from local businesses to multinational corporations nationwide. Paul provides valuable guidance in counseling and risk management across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, food and beverage, construction, and real estate.
Paul has served as coordinating and national counsel for some of the world’s largest companies, litigating high-profile product liability matters in the most challenging of jurisdictions. In addition to his pharmaceutical and medical device clients, Paul defends manufacturers of consumer and industrial products against claims of product defects. He has advocated for clients in putative class actions and multidistrict litigations involving hundreds of cases, including going toe-to-toe with the most prominent mass tort plaintiff attorneys and firms in the U.S. He has also negotiated resolutions to hundreds of claims.
In addition to his litigation practice, Paul also counsels clients on risk management, product safety issues, and regulatory compliance. He is often called in to “parachute” into high-stakes and challenging cases months before trial, as he is able to quickly and efficiently develop a company story and trial themes while preparing for trial.
Education & Credentials
Education
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
J.D., 2001University of California, Irvine
B.A., 1998Bar Admission
Spoken Languages
- Spanish
Acknowledgements
- Negocios Now magazine — Who’s Who in Hispanic Chicago, 2018 and 2023
- Illinois Diversity Council —Leadership Excellence in the Law Award, 2017
- Leading Lawyers Network —Emerging Lawyer, 2015-2016
Prominent Assignments
Contract, Business, Commercial & Consumer Disputes
- Retained by several mobile phone case manufacturers in a Bet-the-Company lawsuit against several premium case manufacturers arising out of an accessories licensing agreement dispute and other significant allegations.
- Served as lead counsel representing a healthcare nutritional products supplier in a high-stakes dispute, aggressively pursuing $13 million in damages against a distributor for contractual breaches.
- Successfully defended an automotive component part manufacturer against a $2 million breach of contract lawsuit, skillfully navigating allegations of failure to accept delivery of crucial components.
- Secured a landmark victory for a prominent retailer embroiled in a contract dispute over an iconic sculpture, obtaining a summary judgment affirming ownership rights in favor of our client.
- Led the defense in a complex $5 million breach of contract claim on behalf of a food processing technology client, achieving a favorable resolution through strategic negotiation sessions.
- Represented a tech accessory licensee in a complex breach of license agreement and business tort dispute against both a licensor and a competitor.
- Secured dismissal of claims by the current owner of the renowned Alexander Calder sculpture, “The Universe,” who attempted to invalidate the former owner’s option to re-purchase the sculpture at 50% of its appraised value.
Litigation
- As lead counsel, successfully defended against putative consumer fraud class actions in Illinois and Missouri state and federal courts, which alleged misleading labeling practices on behalf of prominent food and snack clients.
- Navigated as lead counsel through a monumental $400 million shareholder dispute in Delaware Chancery Court, representing one of Brazil’s largest employers in a high-stakes conflict with minority shareholders, essential to the company’s future.
- Acted as trial and lead counsel for manufacturers of pelvic mesh in extensive mass tort litigation, ensuring comprehensive representation and strategic defense.
- Skillfully represented a refrigerator component manufacturer client in a $900 million lawsuit as trial counsel, advocating for the client’s interests with precision and expertise.
- Advocated as trial counsel in an 800-million-dollar lawsuit brought by grain farmers against a grain supplier client, employing thorough legal strategy to protect the client’s rights and interests.
- Represented one of the largest private employers in Brazil in a bet-the-company dispute (US$400 million) against a minority shareholder, resulting in a successful settlement.
Real Estate Litigation
- Secured favorable resolution in real estate developer dispute, enabling client’s property development and sale.
- Led $15 million breach of contract arbitration against real estate developer and management.
- Won judgment for specific performance of a real estate purchase option, enforcing the client’s contractual rights in a contested sale.
Trade Secret & Injunctive Relief
Professional Involvement
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, Chicago Bar Association
- Member, Defense Research Institute
- Member, Hispanic Lawyers Association of Illinois
- Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
- Member, Illinois Bar Association
- Member, Missouri Bar Association
- Volunteer, Catholic Charities Legal Assistance (CCLA) — Legal Advisory Committee
- Volunteer, Catholic Charities of Chicago
- Volunteer, Equal Justice Works
- Volunteer, National Immigrant Justice Center
- Volunteer, Lawyers for the Creative Arts
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin