Paul E. Burns , Esq.
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General Biography
Practice Areas & Industries
Technology/Internet
Intellectual Property
Business Commercial
Entertainment & Sports
Health Care
Life Sciences
Franchise & Distribution Law
Employment Law
Accounting Finance
Insurance
Cybersecurity & Privacy
Professional Liability
Securities
Construction and Construction Defect
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
Background and Education
Paul E. Burns, Esq., is a nationally recognized arbitrator and mediator with more than 30 years of experience in technology, intellectual property, and complex commercial litigation and transactions, including 21 years as a neutral additionally covering entertainment, franchise, healthcare, life sciences, Internet, business/corporate, insurance, finance, professional liability, cybersecurity/privacy, real estate and securities matters. Based in Los Angeles and Phoenix, he is available nationwide and internationally. He has presided over more than 500 arbitrations and 150 mediations involving disputes valued in excess of $100 million, including many international disputes. A Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, he is consistently honored by inclusion in Best Lawyers® (2007–2026), including multiple Lawyer of the Year awards, and has long maintained an AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Burns is also listed on the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center’s Tech List of the world’s leading technology-focused neutrals.
Mr. Burns is widely recognized as being among the nation’s leading complex commercial, technology and intellectual property neutrals, known for combining unsurpassed subject-matter specialties with exceptional alternative dispute resolution (ADR) leadership. He is trusted by Am Law 200 firms, Fortune 1000 companies and sophisticated parties to resolve their most complex and high-stakes disputes across many industries. A former partner at an Am Law 200 firm and former managing attorney of his own firm, which was honored by being named as a Best Lawyers® Best Law Firm, he brings exceptional legal and business acumen to every matter. He has also been recognized for decades as having a specialty in e-discovery, and he has served as a special master for e-discovery in state and federal courts.
As an arbitrator, Mr. Burns has presided over hundreds of complex cases under the rules of AAA, ICDR, CPR and now JAMS, with extensive experience serving as panel chair and as an emergency arbitrator. He is particularly known for his procedural command, meticulous preparation and ability to manage discovery-heavy, multiparty proceedings, including cases involving injunctive relief and e-discovery, efficiently and cost-effectively. As a mediator, Mr. Burns is widely respected for breaking impasse and delivering practical resolutions in high-conflict, high-value disputes. He is known for combining rigorous legal analysis with principled negotiation in a distinctive mediation approach, and he is grounded in thorough preparation and active engagement. Counsel frequently commend his persistence, clarity and staying power, noting that he continues to work toward settlement until resolution is achieved.
Mr. Burns has taught ADR courses for over 15 years at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law’s top-ranked Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, including courses on mediation of entertainment and intellectual property disputes, arbitration practice and advocacy, and ADR ethics. In addition, he will join USC Gould School of Law as adjunct faculty in spring 2026, teaching the course ADR Law and Policy. He also designed and taught the courses Patent Litigation and Biotechnology Licensing & Litigation at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law for over 12 years. Mr. Burns’ law school courses have always included a component teaching students how to mediate cases involving parties from different countries and cultures, making him particularly experienced and suitable for mediating and arbitrating international disputes.
An active thought leader in the ADR community, Mr. Burns has been a prolific, sought-after speaker on arbitration, mediation, IP, technology and e-discovery for leading organizations including the American Arbitration Association, AIPLA (where he served as ADR Section chair), the Association of Corporate Counsel, The Sedona Conference (board member), the Licensing Executives Society, the Copyright Society of the USA, the Beverly Hills Bar Association and the Federal Bar Association (past chapter president and board member). He also served on INTA’s Panel of Neutrals and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
Clients turn to Mr. Burns for his rare blend of elite legal credentials, subject-matter fluency and ADR experience —delivering practical, lasting resolutions that save time, protect value and restore control in high-stakes disputes.
ADR Experience
- 500+ arbitrations (including international, multiple panel chair and emergency arbitrator engagements in cases involving up to hundreds of millions of dollars)
- 150+ mediations (including international/multicultural/multiple parties) and hundreds of mediation simulations in his Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law mediation courses over 15 years
- Special e-discovery master in federal and state court and arbitration proceedings
- Adjunct professor of law at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, where he taught mediation for over 15 years and arbitration for five years and developed a distinctive mediation approach for complex commercial, technology and intellectual property disputes
- Co-founder of the American Intellectual Property Law Association’s List of Arbitrators and Mediators
- Co-developer of patent mediation best practices for The Sedona Conference
Representative Matters
- Technology/Internet
- Arbitrated a $100 million professional malpractice claim involving an Am Law 100 firm’s handling of the trial of a high-profile trade secret misappropriation case involving a web development software and services case against a Fortune 20 retailer
- Arbitrated a claim involving millions of dollars arising out of the development of artificial intelligence software for the hospitality and gaming industry
- Arbitrated a claim involving millions of dollars arising out of an alleged breach of a hosting and service agreement between the host and the owner of cryptocurrency/Bitcoin mining super computers
- Arbitrated as an emergency arbitrator a claim for preliminary injunctive relief involving a computer supply agreement between the manufacturer of Bitcoin mining supercomputers and a cryptocurrency investment company, with a monetary claim in excess of $10 million
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute arising from the termination of the chief technology officer and minority member from an internet-based medical supply company, with allegations of breach of fiduciary duty and a claim for involuntary dissolution of the limited liability company
- Arbitrated an $8 million dispute involving breach of the design and development of a comprehensive computer software system for a national loan aggregation provider
- Arbitrated a $1.25 million dispute involving an alleged breach of an agreement to provide an enterprise resource planning computer software system to a human biological supplier
- Arbitrated a dispute involving proprietary software used to assist an investment brokerage in trading securities involving the shipping industry
- Arbitrated a dispute between social media companies involving a breach of a website’s terms of use and unlawful misappropriation of customers
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute between a software development company and a major insurance company arising from allegations of a breach of the software development agreement
- Arbitrated a claim of excessive fees between an e-discovery provider and a biotechnology company
- Arbitrated a dispute involving breach of a temporary technology staffing services agreement
- Arbitrated a dispute regarding breach of a software license agreement and nonpayment
- Arbitrated multiple software development and servicing disputes
- Arbitrated multiple disputes between an internet/e-commerce web services company and retailers
- Mediated a breach of contract claim against an internet-based rideshare company
- Mediated a $1 million claim for breach of an information technology infrastructure agreement
- Mediated a claim for breach of database services agreement.
- Arbitrated a dispute involving internet-based digital marketing and promotion services, with claims of trade secret misappropriation
- Arbitrated numerous disputes between business associates and internet-based e-commerce, payment platform, hospitality and social media companies
- Counsel in many technology and IP disputes involving computers, software, information technology, gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Bitcoin, semiconductors, fintech, electrical, mechanical, chemicals, fashion and music
- Intellectual Property
(Patent)
- Arbitrated a $35 million patent infringement dispute between a Chinese plastics manufacturer and an American retail furniture distributor, including conducting a Markman claim construction phase and issuing an order construing the asserted patent claims
- Arbitrated a $10 million breach of patent license agreement dispute applicable to several hydration system patents and in which a Markman claim construction hearing was conducted
- Arbitrated a patent infringement dispute involving biomedical products and allegations of malpractice against the patent prosecution attorney
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving ownership of patents on scanning technology between a Fortune 1000 technology company and a former employee, including a Markman claim construction phase and an order construing the asserted patent claims
- Mediated a patent infringement dispute between an industry-leading inventor and a Fortune 100 paper manufacturing company in which plaintiff was seeking permanent injunctive relief that would have shut down portions of the company
- Mediated a patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation dispute between German and American manufacturers regarding sound technology
- Mediated Lanham Act false advertising with patent infringement counterclaims between major cybersecurity/data privacy companies
- Mediated a dispute involving allegations of legal malpractice and excessive fees in a patent infringement case
- Arbitrated a $1 million legal malpractice dispute involving a law firm’s representation of a client in a patent infringement case against two major automobile manufacturers
- Lead counsel representing plaintiffs and defendants in numerous patent infringement cases and licensing transactions covering the following subject areas: computers, software, information technology, gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Bitcoin, semiconductors, fintech, electrical, mechanical, chemicals, medical devices, dental devices, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and biologics
(Trade Secrets, Copyright, Trademark)
- Arbitrated an international dispute involving in excess of $150 million of claims between a medical device manufacturer and a U.S. distributor for trade secret misappropriation
- Arbitrated a $100 million professional malpractice claim involving an Am Law 100 firm’s handling of the trial of a high-profile trade secret misappropriation case applicable to website design and development software case against a Fortune 20 retailer
- Arbitrated more than 100 copyright infringement claims in the music, video, film and television industries, including those involving the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America, and internet service providers and their subscribers.
- Arbitrated a $1 million dispute involving a breach of a patent and trademark licensing agreement between a seller of automotive parts and an electric automobile manufacturer
- Arbitrated a dispute between religious internet domain name and trademark owner and operator/licensee
- Mediated multiple software licensing disputes involving claims of copyright infringement
- Mediated $20 million trade secret dispute between two semiconductor manufacturers concerning the design of integrated circuits
- Arbitrated a $1 million dispute in which claimant asserted breach of contract and copyright infringement involving a celebrity personal coach-developed franchise
- Arbitrated a $1 million fashion industry dispute involving misappropriation of trade secrets and copyright infringement
- Mediated a trademark infringement dispute between a cannabis company and an organic food company.
- Mediated a trademark infringement and internet domain name dispute involving online retailer
- Mediated copyright infringement claims involving photographs published by a major schoolbook publisher
- Lead counsel representing plaintiffs and defendants in numerous intellectual property cases involving licensing, software, information technology, gaming, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, Bitcoin, life sciences, fashion and music
- As a chapter chair of the Licensing Executives Society, has been a thought leader in licensing intellectual property
- Business Commercial
- Arbitrated $100 million dispute involving alleged breach of an electronics distribution agreement, breach of fiduciary duty, LLC dissolution and excessive executive compensation
- Arbitrated a $11 million dispute among members of a limited liability company involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty and fraud in connection with the operation of a retail cannabis business
- Arbitrated a $10 million dispute involving alleged defective tablet computers between Japanese manufacturer and U.S. distributor
- Arbitrated a $10 million claim for breach of contract involving distribution of medical tests to a municipality
- Arbitrated a $4 million breach of contract claim for breach of an agreement to provide billing and medical practice management
- Arbitrated $3 million dispute between a merchant and Fortune 100 credit card company involving allegations that the merchant was wrongfully terminated and placed on a credit card blacklist
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute regarding breach of an emissions equipment supply agreement and environmental waste processor
- Mediated a dispute among members of an LLC in the beverage industry involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty
- Mediated a dispute among members of an LLC in the restaurant business involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty, fraud and misappropriation of company opportunities
- Arbitrated a $1.25 million claim for breach of contract involving misappropriation of trade secrets in the fashion industry
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving the construction of an energy- and power-generation facility
- Arbitrated a claim involving breach of a purchase agreement and breach of warranty applicable to a regenerative thermal oxidizer
- Arbitrated a dispute involving breach of agreement for data collection services, forensic analysis and hosting services
- Arbitrated a dispute between a commercial equipment lessor and lessee
- Arbitrated a dispute among physicians, including the involuntary dissolution of the limited liability company through which they practiced
- Arbitrated a dispute involving breach of an agreement to provide advertising leads
- Mediated a dispute involving breach of an agreement to provide insurance billing services
- Mediated a $1 million claim involving the breach of a cannabis purchase and private label agreement
- Mediated a dispute involving breach of a purchase agreement and warranty against a Global 500 photo-technology equipment manufacturer
- As lead counsel, represented plaintiffs and defendants in hundreds of commercial litigation matters during a 30-plus-year career as a litigator in law firms, including Am Law 200 and major regional firms
- Entertainment & Sports
- Arbitrated over 100 copyright infringement claims in music, video, film and television brought by the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America and internet service providers against their subscribers
- Mediated a licensing agreement dispute between a Hollywood memorabilia retailer and the licensee of trademarks, copyrights and rights to publicity applicable to a major film franchise
- Mediated an A-list actor’s claim of professional malpractice against her accounting firm for its failure to protect her compensation from a hit TV show filmed in Canada from unnecessarily excessive Canadian taxation
- Mediated a million-dollar claim by a digital marketing firm against a financial services firm seeking product placement in major feature films and television series
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute between animated TV show owners and an exclusive licensee for manufacturing toys depicting its characters
- Arbitrated a dispute between a world-famous novelist's estate and the licensee of theatrical rights to one of the most famous and iconic American novels
- Arbitrated a video game development/IP dispute.
- Mediated dispute between a photographer copyright owner and a major publisher
- As counsel, represented talent in connection with a major record label’s failure to give attribution
- As counsel, represented an online streaming entertainment content company negotiating agreements with production companies, talent, advertisers, vendors, content owners and SAG/AFTRA
- As counsel, experience representing both the talent side and the studio/production side in disputes
- Health Care
- Arbitrated an $80 million fraudulent claim dispute between insurers and a hospital providing substance abuse rehabilitation services
- Arbitrated a $40 million dispute involving health care insurance coverage and fraudulent claims disputes between a Texas-based hospital and a national health insurer
- Arbitrated a $10 million health care dispute involving Medicare Part D pharmaceutical reimbursements by a pharmacy benefit management company to a specialty pharmacy
- Arbitrated a $20 million claim by departing employees of a surgical device distributor against an orthopedic surgical device manufacturer
- Arbitrated a $19 million dispute between a national provider of home health care services and a major national insurance company arising out of its agreement to provide health care services on a flat-fee basis and to share savings on projected costs
- Arbitrated a $10 million claim involving a breach of an agreement to provide a major health care system with the development of electronic health record software
- Arbitrated disputes involving medical practice governance, dental services finance, surgical implants and emergency reinsurance claims processing
- Arbitrated multiparty claims between numerous medical practices and a practice management company for alleged breach of management agreements, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud
- Arbitrated management agreement termination dispute between a REIT and a senior care facility management company
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving a lender financing payment of healthcare services and a health care provider
- Arbitrated claims for breaches of fiduciary duty in a medical practice
- Arbitrated international dispute involving a breach of a medical device design agreement
- Mediated claims involving a breach of fiduciary duty in a medical practice LLC
- Emergency arbitrator in a claim involving an insurance company's termination of a large, multidisciplinary medical practice
- Emergency arbitrator in a claim involving a pharmacy benefit management company's termination of a pharmacy
- Arbitrated a participation agreement dispute between a long-term care provider and an insurance company.
- Mediated a multimillion-dollar fraudulent claims dispute between a major health insurer and a hospital provider
- Mediated a payment dispute between home health care provider and a Medicaid payment administrator
- Mediated a $1.5 million claim arising from a computer software development agreement for a health care provider’s monitoring system
- Arbitrated more than 100 managed health care reimbursement disputes including claims alleging underpayment and denial, excessive billing and whether services were reasonable and necessary, including those involving Fortune 500 health insurers and plans, major regional hospital systems and provider practice groups of all sizes
- Mediated several managed health care disputes including claims underpayment and denial, excessive billing and whether services were reasonable and necessary, those including involving Fortune 500 health insurers and plans, major regional hospital systems and provider practice groups of all sizes
- Life Sciences
- Arbitrated a $150 million international dispute involving a European medical device manufacturer and a U.S. distributor, including breach of distribution agreement and misappropriation of trade secrets
- Arbitrated an international patent license dispute between a Silicon Valley-based robotic surgical device provider and an India-based licensee
- Arbitrated a dispute involving international pharmaceutical companies regarding claims of millions of dollars, arising from alleged breach of license agreement involving several stem cell lines and biologics
- Arbitrated a $10 million claim against a pharmaceutical manufacturer
- Arbitrated a claim for breach of debenture agreements between an investor and a medical device company
- Mediated breach of license agreement claims involving surgical implants
- Arbitrated a dispute involving breach of a medical device laboratory service agreement
- As counsel, negotiated life sciences license, manufacturing, R&D and clinical data agreements; advised life sciences clients on intellectual property rights, manufacturing, sourcing, supply, distribution, regulatory compliance, HIPAA, cybersecurity and privacy
- As counsel, represented clients in litigation on disputes regarding pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, genomics, biologics, proteomics, and medical and dental devices
- Franchise & Distribution Law
- Arbitrated over 40 franchise expansion disputes involving a Fortune 500 restaurant franchisor with more than 7,000 stores
- Arbitrated franchise dispute involving franchisee in the senior care industry
- Mediated franchise termination disputes in multiparty mediation sessions with six franchisees and a franchisor in the healthcare provider industry
- Arbitrated a franchise termination dispute between a national franchisor in delivery and postal services and a franchisee, and held an evidentiary hearing on the merits within three months of appointment as emergency arbitrator after appointment as permanent arbitrator
- Arbitrated franchise agreement dispute in which beverage industry franchisor sought to obtain a mandatory preliminary injunction to obtain transfer of the franchise and related assets
- Arbitrated a franchise dispute between a franchisor and franchisee in the food industry involving a quick service restaurant (QSR)
- Arbitrated a franchise termination dispute between franchisor and franchisee in the hair care industry
- Arbitrated claims involving the termination of a franchisee in the nutritional supplement industry
- Arbitrated claims involving the termination of a franchise agreement in the transportation industry
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving a European-based beverage industry franchisor and a Middle East-based franchisee
- Arbitrated a franchise agreement involving a national clothing franchisor and franchisee
- Employment Law
- Arbitrated disputes involving the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Arbitrated claims for sexual harassment and discrimination, as well as age discrimination
- Arbitrated claims involving the termination of an employee in the transportation industry for alleged breach of employment agreement
- As counsel, handled litigation involving breach of employment agreements and trade secret misappropriation, representing both employees and employers
- Accounting Finance
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute between investors and a life sciences company involving claims of securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and breach of debenture agreement
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving breach of fiduciary duty and securities fraud against a broker trading securities involving the shipping industry and complex trading software technology
- Arbitrated an $8 million dispute involving breach of the design and development of a comprehensive computer software system for a national loan aggregation provider involving numerous finance issues
- Mediated matters involving federal government agencies and financial institutions for banking and financial disputes regarding financing agreements, loan agreements, collections, and creditors’ and debtors’ rights.
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving a lender financing payment of health care services and a health care provider
- As lead counsel, represented plaintiffs and defendants in numerous disputes involving financing agreements, loan agreements, collections and creditors’/debtors’ rights
- Insurance
- Arbitrated a $4 million claim between an insurance brokerage and an accounting firm arising from an alleged breach of a client referral agreement with complex tax issues
- Emergency arbitrator in a multimillion-dollar dispute between an insurer and a reinsurer over rights to claims processing involving preliminary injunctive relief with respect to access to a claims database
- Mediated a $1 million dispute arising from an alleged breach of a reinsurance agreement
- Cybersecurity & Privacy
- Mediated a Lanham Act false advertising claim with patent infringement counterclaims between major cybersecurity/data privacy companies
- As Counsel, drafted internet terms of use and privacy policies for internet startups, social media companies and established companies, and counseled them on cybersecurity and data privacy obligations under state and federal laws, Federal Trade Commission guidelines, HIPAA, FERPA and the GDPR; data breach investigations
- Professional Liability
- Arbitrated a $100 million legal malpractice claim involving an Am Law 100 firm’s handling of the trial of a high-profile trade secret misappropriation case applicable to website design and development software case against a Fortune 20 retailer
- Arbitrated a multimillion dollar patent infringement dispute involving biomedical products and allegations of malpractice against the patent prosecution attorney.
- Arbitrated $1 million legal malpractice dispute involving a law firm’s representation of a client in a patent infringement case against two major automobile manufacturers
- Mediated a dispute involving allegations of legal malpractice and excessive fees in a patent infringement case
- Arbitrated a dispute between a law firm and its client alleging breach of fiduciary duty and conflict of interest
- Arbitrated a claim of excessive legal fees and legal malpractice in a patent infringement case
- Arbitrated a claim of excessive forensic accounting specialist fees
- Securities
- Arbitrated a $2.5 million securities fraud claim arising from investment in an energy and utility software company
- Mediated a claim for negligent and unsuitable investments against an investment advisory firm
- Mediated a claim of nonpayment of fees and a counterclaim of failure to provide financial advisory services
- Construction and Construction Defect
- Arbitrated construction defect case involving a Phoenix- metro condominium complex
- Arbitrated a multimillion-dollar dispute involving construction of components of a manufacturing facility
- Mediated several construction defect and construction contract dispute cases
- Counsel in a three-week, multiparty jury trial involving construction defect and architectural malpractice claims arising from a comprehensive renovation of a mansion owned by an international fashion house CEO
- Counsel in a multimillion-dollar commercial construction dispute involving the research headquarters of one of the largest international pharmaceutical companies in the world
- Counsel in several construction defect and construction contract cases representing owners, contractors and subcontractors.
Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities
Honors
- Nominated by five of the country’s leading ADR panelists to the College of Commercial Arbitrators, one of the world’s most prestigious alternative dispute resolution organizations
- Selected to the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center’s Tech List, which recognizes the world’s leading technology mediators and arbitrators.
- Named a Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year (2022–2023) for patent litigation, intellectual property litigation, patent law and copyright law
- Included in Best Lawyers® (2007–2026) for patent litigation, intellectual property litigation, patent law and copyright law
- Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ rated (20+ years)
- Founded a law firm named as a Best Lawyers® Best Law Firm in 2025
- Adjunct faculty appointments at three law schools, teaching Mediation, Arbitration, ADR Law and Policy, Patent Litigation and Biotechnology Licensing & Litigation
- Appointed to leadership positions in the Federal Bar Association (past chapter president and board member), American Intellectual Property Law Association (past chair of the ADR Committee), Licensing Executives Society (past chapter chair), The Copyright Society (past chapter chair and co-chair of Annual Meeting), The Sedona Conference (member of the board of directors), American Bar Foundation (fellow).
Memberships
- Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators, 2015–2025
- Member, SVAMC Tech List (listing of the world’s leading technology mediators and arbitrators), 2018–2025
- Member, Board of Directors (and meeting attendee at working groups involving e-discovery, patent litigation, data security and privacy, trade secrets and artificial intelligence), The Sedona Conference, 2012–2025
- Former Chair and Vice-Chair, ADR Committee; Co-Founder, List of Arbitrators and Mediators; American Intellectual Property Law Association; 2016–2021
- Member, Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel, 2022–2025
- Member, Southern California Mediation Association, 2023–2025
- Member and Former Chapter Chair, The Copyright Society of the USA, 2005–2007
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation, 2015–2025
- Member, American Bar Association, 2000–2025
- Member, Beverly Hills Bar Association, 2015–2025
- Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2015–2025
- Chapter Chair, Licensing Executives Society of the USA and Canada, 2005–2010
- Member and Panel of Trademark Mediators, International Trademark Association, 2010–2023
Speaking Engagements and Publications
Speaking Engagements
A representative list of speaking engagements includes the following:
- “Keeping Arbitration Costs Down,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, 2025
- “Getting Successful Settlements in Entertainment and Intellectual Property Disputes,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, 2025
- “Navigating Life Sciences Disputes With Finesse,” American Bar Association Business Law Section Fall Meeting, 2024
- “Fish Out of Water: How Entertainment Attorneys Can Win in Arbitration (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Arbitration),” 2022
- “Ethical Issues in Arbitration and How to Solve Them,” Los Angeles ADR Study Group, 2022
- “Successful IP and Entertainment Arbitrations and Mediations: Effective ADR Clauses and Practice Tips,” Beverly Hills Bar Association, 2018
- “Mediation Ethics: Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege in Patent Cases,” American Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting, 2017
- “Arbitration Provisions in Trademark/Brand Licenses,” Licensing Executive Society Annual Meeting, 2017
- "Legal and Ethical Issues, Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence in HBO's Westworld," San Diego Comic-Con, 2017
- "Patent Mediation Best Practices," The Sedona Conference Annual Patent Working Group Meeting, 2016
- "E-Discovery in Arbitration," Los Angeles County Bar Association, 2016
Publications
A representative list of publications includes the following:
- “Cutting-Edge Issues in Mediation Ethics: Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege in Patent Cases,” American Intellectual Property Law Association Annual Meeting, 2017
- Contributing Author, "Patent Mediation Best Practices," The Sedona Conference Working Group on Best Practices in Managing Patent Litigation, 2016
- Co-Author: "Technology-Assisted Review: The Judicial Pioneers," 15 Sedona Conf. J., 2014
- "E-Discovery in Arbitration," American Arbitration Association presentation "Using Technology to More Effectively Manage Arbitration," American Bar Association 15th Annual Section of Dispute Resolution Spring Conference, 2013
Background and Education
Background
- Adjunct Faculty, University of Southern California Gould School of Law, commencing 2026
- Managing Attorney/Arbitrator/Mediator; Paul E. Burns, P.C. dba Burns Legal; 2023–2025
- Partner/Attorney/Arbitrator/Mediator; Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP; 2010–2023
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, 2008–2024
- Adjunct Professor of Law (teaching Patent Litigation and Biotechnology Licensing & Litigation), Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, 2005–2015
- Arbitrator and Mediator, Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), 2010–2025
- Arbitrator and Mediator (also served on AAA’s Large, Complex Case Advisory Committee), American Arbitration Association (AAA), 2004–2025
- Attorney/Partner, Am Law 100 and regional firms (including Steptoe & Johnson and LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae), prior to 2010
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, Boston College Law School
- B.S., magna cum laude, Boston College
- M.A. (Cand.), Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology
Bar Admissions
- California
- Arizona
- Texas
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Home Office
HOME OFFICE
Los Angeles, California
515 S. Flower St, Suite 4500 Los Angeles, CA, 90071
Orange County, California
5 Park Plaza, Suite 400, Irvine, CA 92614
Inland Empire, California
Citrus Towers, 3390 University Ave., Suite 450, Riverside, CA 92501
Century City, California
1925 Century Park East, 14th Floor, The Watt Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90067
San Diego, California
401 B Street, Suite 2100, San Diego, CA 92101
Available to Travel
AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL
Atlanta, Georgia
1230 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 2950, Atlanta, GA, 30309
Boston, Massachusetts
One Boston Place, 201 Washington Street, Suite 3300, Boston, MA 02108
Chicago, Illinois
71 S. Wacker Drive Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606
Dallas, Texas
5956 Sherry Lane, Suite 1330, Dallas, TX 75225
Denver, Colorado
410 17th Street, Suite 2440, Denver, CO 80202
Houston, Texas
609 Main Street, Suite 3930, Houston, TX 77002
Las Vegas, Nevada
7160 Rafael Rivera Way, Suite 400, Las Vegas, NV 89113
Miami, Florida
One Biscayne Tower, 2 South Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 3600, Miami, FL 33131
New York, New York
NY Times Building, 620 8th Ave, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10018
San Francisco, California
Two Embarcadero Center, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111
Seattle, Washington
1420 Fifth Ave., Suite 1650, Seattle, WA 98101
Silicon Valley, California
160 W. Santa Clara St., Suite 1600, San Jose, 95113 CA
Washington, D.C.
1050 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20001
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