Steven W. Paul, Esq.
Mediator/Arbitrator/Special Master

Mr. Paul brings experience, substantive knowledge, counseling and negotiation skills, and a balanced analytical perspective to successfully resolving business, employment, and other litigated and pre-litigated disputes. He has more than 20 years of practical legal experience, including handling employment and general business and operational issues while serving as in-house legal/business affairs counsel at a major studio. In private practice, Mr. Paul has advised and represented a wide variety of businesses and industries on negotiation, transactional, and employment matters. Mr. Paul's extensive ADR training furthers his effectiveness in managing the mediation process to reach a satisfactory resolution.

PRACTICE AREAS

Business, Employment, Entertainment, Commercial, Real Estate, Personal Injury.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE

Mr. Paul has served as a full-time, private mediator since 2006, as well as an adviser to businesses, employees and employers. He is highly recommended by a wide range of clients who say "he is the hardest working mediator I know;" "he quickly grasped the issues and understood the merits of the case;" "he was able to dispel the extreme hostility and resolve an intransigent lawsuit… he has a complete understanding of the dynamics of each party and the case;" and "he did everything in his power to prepare for mediation, and has amazing follow through."

From 1996 to 2006, Mr. Paul was Senior Counsel/Director of Legal and Business Affairs at Warner Bros. Studio Facilities, responsible for legal oversight of all aspects of studio operations including labor/employment policies and practices, arbitrations/grievances, wage and hour, business affairs, corporate compliance, litigation and claims supervision, negotiating and implementing operational/production agreements, construction, safety/environmental, risk management, and real estate issues.

From 1989-1996, Mr. Paul was in private practice in San Francisco and Los Angeles, primarily representing employees in discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, wage/hour, and civil rights matters in state, federal and appellate courts, including achieving several significant verdicts and settlements. From 1987-1989, he was an Associate Attorney at Buchalter, Nemer, Fields & Younger, where he represented employers before state and federal courts and administrative agencies, business litigation, and advised on employment practices and policies.

ORGANIZATIONS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Adjunct Professor at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law.

Member: Labor and Employment Law Section, State Bar of California; California Employment Lawyers Association; Association for Conflict Resolution; Southern California Mediation Association

Fellowship, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

MCLE certified training provider, "Maximizing the Mediation Process"

EDUCATION & TRAINING

J.D. , 1987, Boalt Hall School of Law, University of California at Berkeley

B.A., 1983, University of California at Berkeley (Phi Beta Kappa)

Mr. Paul is available throughout California.

Century City
310.284.8224

Downtown
213.623.0211

Toll Free
1.800.347.4512