Paul Cooley focuses his practice on construction litigation and catastrophic personal injury defense. He has extensive experience representing architects, engineers, builders, developers, general contractors, and specialty contractors in complex, multi-party matters involving residential and commercial building projects, public works, educational facilities, and high-exposure injury claims. He has mediated, arbitrated, and tried numerous cases throughout California.

Prior to joining the firm, Paul was a partner at Chapman Glucksman, a boutique West Los Angeles law firm representing Architects and Engineers and Trampoline Parks where he defended clients in construction and catastrophic injury litigation.

Paul earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School where he was articles editor of the Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review, a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society and a tutor for Constitutional Law.

Paul holds a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University in film and television production with a minor in philosophy.

Paul lives in Manhattan Beach  with his family and is an avid hiker, camper, and 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