As a Litigation shareholder of the Firm, Paul advises clients on commercial law, insurance defense, public liability, real estate, and employment-related litigation.
He routinely represents employers and their insurers, defending sexual harassment claims, discrimination, disability, and retaliation claims in state and federal courts, including CRD and EEOC investigations and charges.
Paul was trial and appellate counsel in the following reported cases:
• Orr v. Christian Bros High School (2021-2022) U.S. App. Lexis 34810, *1-2, 2021 WL 5493416, cert. denied 2022 U.S. Lexis 3852,*1 (U.S. Oct. 3, 2022) (No. 21-1416): Summary judgment dismissing discrimination claim based on the ministerial exception affirmed by Ninth Circuit; certiorari denied by US Supreme Court.
• Ridgewater Associates v. Dublin San Ramon Services District (2010) 184 Cal.App.4th 629: Affirmed summary judgment for wastewater treatment facility accused of altering groundwater migration causing damaging to adjoining commercial properties.
• Richelle L. v. Roman Catholic Archbishop (2003) 106 Cal.App.4th 257: Affirmed dismissal of claim against employer for adult misconduct.
• Juarez v. Boy Scouts of America, Inc. (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 87: Affirmed summary judgment in favor of Diocese, which sponsored Boy Scout troop in which molestation was alleged.
• East Bay Asian Local Development Corp. v. State of California (1999) 69 Cal.App.4th 1033: Affirmed constitutionality of religious institution exemption to state landmarking act.
• Bollard v. California Province (9th Cir. 1999) 196 F.3d 940: Affirmed ministerial exception to Title VII claims in Ninth Circuit.
• Karoutas v. HomeFed Bank (1991) 232 Cal.App.3d 767: Established duties of trustees conducting real estate foreclosure sales.
• From 2004 through 2006, Paul served as Defense Liaison Counsel in the California Judicial Council Coordinated Proceeding entitled “Clergy Cases III,” a clergy sexual abuse proceeding with over 350 claimants
Paul is a member of the Litigation, Employment, and Real Property Sections of the California State Bar. He has lectured with the Practicing Law Institute, the California Continuing Education of the Bar, and various national and local defense organizations. He is also a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court.
Paul has been selected for inclusion in Northern California Super Lawyers by Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine since 2005. In addition, he was appointed as a member of the San Francisco Superior Court’s Mandatory Settlement Conference Panel.
Some examples of the litigation matters Paul has led include:
• Successfully negotiated a settlement of transgender discrimination and failure to accommodate claims brought against a major California municipality.
• Obtained defense verdict in six-week jury trial v. religious order establishing that claims of sexual abuse by two plaintiffs were false claims.
• Obtained defense verdict in 11-day binding arbitration representing real estate developer accused of falsely representing the permitted use of two commercial condominiums in downtown San Francisco under local zoning laws. Post award successfully obtained judgment in superior court confirming the award.
• Successfully negotiated over $500 million settlements in child molestation claims against institutional defendants accused of negligent hiring, supervision, or retention.
• Obtained summary judgment for a Bay Area water and sanitation district accused of diverting groundwater migration which allegedly caused property damage to neighboring commercial buildings.
• Successfully settled claims against a municipality arising out of the death and injury to three young men at its civic zoo by a tiger which escaped her enclosure; successfully settled a claim against the municipality by a zookeeper who was severely injured by the same tiger during feeding one year earlier.
• Successfully obtained insurance coverage for clients sued for child abuse, sexual harassment, employee misconduct, fraud, and misrepresentation in the sale of real property.
International Association of Defense Counsel
Member
State Bar of California, Litigation, Employment and Real Property Sections
Member
Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California
Member
National Diocesan Attorneys Association
Member of Executive Committee
Western Diocesan Attorneys Association
Member
San Francisco Superior Court’s Mandatory Settlement Conference Panel
Member
Awards
Northern California Super Lawyer, 2005-2023
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law, 1977
B.A., University of San Francisco, 1974
Summary of Program Unfortunately, both single-plaintiff and class-action wage and hour lawsuits continue to plague California employers. Often employers are sued because of technical violations that occur simply because the employer is unaware of its legal obligations. In addition, the ever increasing number of claims filed with the Department of…
Summary of Program Administering leaves of absence and disability accommodations in California can be very challenging. California has a paid sick leave law and numerous other leave laws and wage replacement benefits that interact with one another. To properly administer leaves and accommodate employees, employers need to understand the various…
Summary of Program Most employers know that it is crucial to have well trained supervisors to help ensure that rank and file employees perform their jobs effectively and efficiently. However, many employers don’t realize how important it is that supervisors be trained to understand the many employment laws that govern…
Join the attorneys from Weintraub Tobin’s Workplace Investigations Unit (Vida Thomas and Lizbeth West) for this one-day, in-depth training on conducting effective workplace investigations: The legal duty to investigate Selecting the right investigator Recognizing your own biases Conducting effective witness interviews Writing the investigation report Seminar Program8:30 am – 9:00…
Weintraub Tobin’s 2016 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training schedule is now available. Click here for a copy of the schedule. If you have any questions on any of our seminars or would like to inquire on private, custom-tailored training, please contact: Ramona Carrillo400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor Sacramento, CA…
Summary of Program The regulations regarding California’s Mandatory Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for supervisors require that certain employers provide training to their supervisors every two years. The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin is offering a two hour in-person training session that will comply with all…
Summary of Program Most business owners know that customers and employees may need to be accommodated from time to time for various reasons. Often this is because of an employee’s disability, medical condition or a condition present on property owned by the business and open to the public. It is…
Summary of Program The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin is pleased to offer this very informative training session that will help business owners, human resource professionals, and managers to both comply with legal record keeping requirements and also prepare and maintain effective defensive documentation. Program Highlights Postings, notices,…
Summary of Program The Labor and Employment Group at Weintraub Tobin is pleased to offer this informative seminar that will discuss recent cases to help business owners, human resource professionals, and managers avoid liability and effectively hire employees as well as carry out disciplines and terminations. Program Highlights • Training…
Summary of Program Employee handbooks are essential for employers in today’s litigious environment. A carefully prepared, up-to-date, and customized handbook can be an employer’s biggest weapon against labor and employment litigation if properly used. This informative seminar will outline the dos and don’ts in drafting an effective and well written…
Summary of Program Companies and their employees widely use social media in their daily business activities. These networking sites are used by employees to communicate with one another as well as current and potential customers. However, the use of social media may occasionally adversely impact an employer’s business or present…
Federal and state OSHA laws protect California workers from unsafe working conditions. However, the federal and state statutes and regulations are complex and can be difficult to understand. This seminar is designed to remove some of the mystery from federal and state OSHA requirements and assist you in maintaining compliance. …
Summary of Program The risks involved in misclassifying a worker as an independent contractor rather than an employee have always been serious. A number of federal and state agencies regulate the proper classification of workers and have the authority to impose significant monetary and non-monetary sanctions against employers who get…
On November 8, 2023, Paul Gaspari and Ryan Abernethy secured their third and final demurrer as to all causes of action in a consumer class action that was brought on behalf of all those who purchased services from our client since 2003. The court found that the complaint failed to…
Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 31 of its attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Sacramento Magazine Top Lawyers list. Weintraub’s attorneys are recognized in various categories, including Business/Corporate law, Employment & Labor law, Estate Planning & Probate law, and Real Estate law. The complete roster of Weintraub…
Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 47 of the Firm’s attorneys have been selected to the 2023 Northern California Super Lawyers® and Rising Star lists. These lists, selected annually on a state-by-state basis, recognize outstanding attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in…
On April 6, 2023, Paul Gaspari, Jackie Simonovich, and Ryan Abernethy won a Motion for Summary Judgment in its entirety in a case alleging discrimination due to a private school’s response to COVID-19. The Court granted summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ four causes of action, including disability-based discrimination in violation…
Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 37 of its attorneys have been recognized on the 2022 Northern California Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists. Several Weintraub attorneys also received special recognition on Super Lawyers “Top” lists, including six attorneys named to the Sacramento Top 25 Super Lawyers (Gary L.…
After obtaining summary judgment at the district court earlier this year in an employment lawsuit, Paul Gaspari, Daniel Zamora, and Ryan Abernethy prevailed in the 9th Circuit appeal to the dismissal. The 9th Circuit’s judgment sets favorable precedent for religious employers as it broadly applies the ministerial exception under the…
Weintraub Tobin is pleased to announce that 38 of its attorneys have been included on the 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Star lists for outstanding attorneys in Northern California. In addition, 4 Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition on Northern California and Sacramento “Top” lists. Weintraub attorneys represent 16 percent…
Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2017, on which 36 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Six Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special recognition as a Top 25 Sacramento Super Lawyer. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2017 Southern California…
Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2016, on which 33 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Three Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special honors in their respective regions. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2016 Southern California and San Diego Super…
Weintraub Tobin’s 2016 Labor and Employment Seminar and Training schedule is now available. Click here for a copy of the schedule. If you have any questions on any of our seminars or would like to inquire on private, custom-tailored training, please contact: Ramona Carrillo400 Capitol Mall, 11th Floor Sacramento, CA…
Super Lawyers has released its Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego lists of outstanding attorneys for 2015, on which 37 Weintraub Tobin attorneys have been included. Eight Weintraub Tobin attorneys received special honors in their respective regions. Weintraub Tobin attorneys named to the 2015 Southern California and San Diego…
For a third year in a row, Weintraub Tobin is working to raise funds for cardiovascular diseases and stroke by partaking in the American Heart Association Heart Walk on Saturday, September 21 at William Land Park. Our attorneys and staff work hard during the summer months to gear up for…
Weintraub Tobin is a proud sponsor of the Sacramento Employer Advisory Council (SEAC), a nonprofit organization that helps educate employers about relevant employment issues and related legal concerns. SEAC partners with the Employee Development Department (EDD) to increase cooperation and communication between EDD and the private sector. SEAC also assists…
The San Francisco office of Weintraub Tobin has joined forces with other Bay Area law firms to raise money and collect food donations during the month of May to benefit the San Francisco and Marin Food Banks. Food from the Bar is the legal community’s largest food and fund raising…
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 25, 2012 – Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin, a business law and business litigation law firm, congratulates Gary Bradus on being named as one of the Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers of 2012. To receive this honor, Bradus earned the highest point totals in the Northern…
SACRAMENTO / SAN FRANCISCO / LOS ANGELES, July 6, 2012 – Weintraub Genshlea Chediak Tobin & Tobin Law Corporation and Weissmann Wolff Bergman Coleman Grodin LLP have jointly announced the merger of their respective business and entertainment law firms. The combined firm, named Weintraub Tobin Chediak Coleman Grodin Law Corporation,…
