Paul Cooley focuses his practice on construction litigation, including the defense of architects and engineers. He has extensive experience representing design professionals in complex disputes arising from residential and commercial construction, public works and educational facilities, including claims involving design and construction defects, delay and disruption, property damage and breach of contract. Paul also represents builders, developers, general contractors and specialty contractors in complex, multi-party construction matters.

Paul also has experience representing both public and private entities in high-exposure litigation involving serious personal injury, wrongful death, intentional misconduct and fraud cases, including catastrophic injury matters with exposures exceeding $1 million. He has resolved hundreds of matters through mediation, arbitration and jury trials throughout California.

Additionally, Paul provides litigation and general counsel services to extreme sports venues and handles product liability matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants. His broader practice includes contract negotiation and insurance coverage disputes, providing him with experience counseling clients on litigation, contractual and risk management issues.

Prior to joining the firm, Paul served as a partner with a boutique West Los Angeles litigation firm, where a significant portion of his practice was devoted to representing architects and engineers. He also defended clients in complex construction and catastrophic injury litigation, including matters involving trampoline parks and other “extreme sports” recreational facilities.

Paul earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, where he served as articles editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review, was a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society and tutored students in Constitutional Law. He received his B.A. in film and television production, with a minor in philosophy, from Loyola Marymount University.

Paul lives in Manhattan Beach with his family and is an avid hiker, camper and long-suffering Steelers fan.

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
  • Assistant Scout Master, Troop 860, Hermosa Beach, California
  • Eagle Scout, Troop 241, Phoenix, Arizona

Practice Highlights

Representative Matters

  • Instrumental in prosecuting building envelope claims on behalf of a private developer client against project architect, nationwide general contractor, HVAC engineering firm, and market leading curtain wall installer involving undisclosed use of Chinese glass and failure to comply with Title 24 energy efficiency standards, transforming a $40 million HOA exposure for the developer into a $7 million OCIP insurance settlement and dismissal of all contractor indemnity actions against developer.
  • Obtained recovery of 7.75 million in settlement funds from 17 different parties, including policy limit settlement payments from architect, construction manager, and multi – prime specialty contractors.
  • Directed outside counsel in managing litigation and settlement negotiations.
  • Negotiated and drafted lease – lease back, solar power purchase, direct power purchase, wind lease agreements, and telecommunication system agreements including general contracting and sub – consulting disciplines for public agency clients and family farm property in the Midwest.
  • Counseled school districts on implementing sustainable buildings, including energy efficiency through well planned upgrades and building materials, innovative technologies, and practical installation of all commercially viable forms of alternative energy, energy conservation contracts, and sustainable building techniques and methods.

Publications

  • “The Law of Green Buildings: Regulatory and Legal Issues in Design, Construction, Operations, and Financing,” co-author, American Bar Association, 2010