December 1, 2008 WK Partner Gary M. Paul Named CAALA’s “Trial Lawyer of the Year”
Gary Paul Becomes the First Two-Time Recipient of Prestigious Award Since 1985
LOS ANGELES – December 1, 2008 – Waters & Kraus partner Gary M. Paul has been named “Trial Lawyer of he Year” by the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles’ (CAALA).
Mr. Paul is a two-time recipient of the prestigious award, having also been recognized as CAALA’s 1981 Trial Lawyer of the Year. He is the only recipient to have won the award twice as an individual. He joins legendary Los Angeles attorneys Lawrence Grassini and Charles O’Reilly, who have each won the award once as individuals in the early 1980s, and a second time as co-recipients in 1985.
“Gary’s extraordinary career is rooted in service and built on year-after-year of exceptional representation,” said Peter Kraus, co-founding partner of Waters & Kraus. “The fact that he has won this honor in 2008 and 27 years ago reflects his commitment to the profession, as well as his knowledge, style, tenacity and relevance to the practice of law to the highest standard.”
Mr. Paul was lead trial attorney for several of WK’s highest-profile cases in 2008 that resulted in plaintiffs’ verdicts in excess of $50 million. Among these cases are Davis v. American Standard, in which a retired Navy boiler tender was awarded $35.1 million; Rollin v. Foster Wheeler, a $10 million plaintiffs’ verdict to a refinery worker; and Saffold v. Bondex, a $5.4 million verdict for the family of a craft services worker.
“I am humbled,” Mr. Paul said of the recognition by CAALA. “The real honorees are our clients, who are in the fight of their lives and show tremendous courage in the face of devastating illness and hardship day after day. It is a privilege to serve them.”
Mr. Paul was named to CAALA’s Hall of Fame in June 2008. The Hall of Fame recognizes the most distinguished memebers of Southern California’s plaintiffs’ bar.
Mr. Paul began his law career in 1974, and currently serves as Secretary for the American Association for Justice (AAJ). He has been named on the Super Lawyers® list four times and has been recognized with numerous accolades over the years. Mr. Paul has more than 100 jury trials to his credit, and is known for his legal acumen and engaging courtoom style.
Andy Waters, co-founding partner of Waters & Kraus, said, “To know Gary Paul is to know a truly great man. He is the worthiest of advocate for our clients – intelligent and articulate, kind and compassionate, and absolutely driven to see justice through. It is a tremendous privilege to practice law with him.”
About Gary M. Paul
Gary Paul is a partner at Waters & Kraus’ Los Angeles office. He has more than three decades of trial experience in complex civil matters. He has represented plaintiffs in more than 100 jury trials, including cases involving consumer and medical product liability, medical and professional malpractice, commercial and insurance litigation, and employment and labor law.
Mr. Paul earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, and his Master of Science degree from UCLA. Prior to beginning his law career in 1975, Mr. Paul was a missile and space engineer. He worked in electronic design and systems engineering for a number of prominent aerospace organizations, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His work involved the design of spacefdcraft that both orbited and landed on Mars.
Mr. Paul earned his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University in Los Angeles in 1974. He was admitted to the State Bar of California the same year. He is co-author of California Tort Practice Guide, a five-volume law treatise published by Clark Boardman Callaghan. He is also a frequent presenter at legal symposia and continuing legal education seminars.
Mr. Paul is a long-time memeber of Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). In June 2008, he was named to CAALA’s Hall of Fame. Mr. Paul has also been selected twice as CAALA’s Trial Lawyer of the Year, in 1981 and in 2008. He is only the third attorney in CAALA’s history to be so honored, and the first since 1985. Mr. Paul has served on the Board of Governors, and as president of both CAALA and CAOC. He currently serves as Secretary of the American Association of Justice (AAJ). In 2006, he was president of the Pound Civil Justice Institute, a think-tank of accomplished trial attorneys who help to strengthen the practice of trial law through educational programs, publications and research grants.
Mr. Paul is also a member of the State Bar of California, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been recognized on numerous occasions for outstanding service to the legal profession and his community by the CAALA and CAOC. He has been recognized on the list of Southern California Super Lawyers in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008.
About Waters & Kraus, LLP
Waters & Kraus, LLP, is a plaintiffs’ firm concentrating on complex product liability and personal injury/wrongful death cases. The firm’s diverse practice includes toxic tort (mesothelioma) litigation, pharmaceutical product liability, negligence, and consumer product liability, as well as qui tam (whistle-blower) and commercial litigation. With offices in California, Texas, and Maryland, Waters & Kraus has litigated cases in jurisdictions across the United States on behalf of individuals from all 50 states as well as foreign governments.
