Paul Breen is one the firm’s senior trial attorneys, with extensive jury and bench trial experience in state and federal courts in Northern California, and practice before the courts of appeal.  He also serves as a private neutral mediator, court appointed judge pro tem, judicial arbitrator, and probate referee.

Recent Matters

• Recovered $3 million for an Italian software designer from a major software manufacturer regarding CD-burning technology.
  
  
• Negotiated a $12.75 million settlement for a pedestrian who sustained massive head injuries when struck by a school bus.  The settlement proceeds were paid into a special needs trust and placed into a variety of investment options and structured annuities, all designed to insure necessary medical care and treatment over the client’s remaining lifetime.
  
  
• Set aside three separate trusts and a will in estate litigation involving allegations of fraud, undue influence and lack of capacity.
  
  
• Negotiated a favorable settlement of a personal injury claim on behalf of an internet company executive who was struck by a commercial truck while operating a motorcycle in a controlled intersection; the claimant was rendered quadriplegic as a result of his injuries.
  
  
• Involved in securities fraud litigation against executives of a bankrupt internet company which raised $87 million in investment capital in 11 months.
  
  
• Negotiated a favorable settlement on behalf of the owner of a software startup company in a multi-million dollar stock dispute involving the merger and acquisition of his company by a publicly-held software manufacturer.
  
  
• Successfully defended an interstate trucking company in major personal injury claim involving a high-speed auto vs. truck accident.
  
  
• Obtained a jury verdict in 12 minutes denying plaintiff’s claim in a personal injury claim against a rental horse stable in Half Moon Bay.
  
  
• Represented a multinational recycling business in contract litigation against a national waste management company.
  
  
• Successfully defended a blind tree surgeon against a claim by the State of California involving a worker who was injured while trimming the largest Black Oak tree in the State of California.

Professional Activities

Mr. Breen attended the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), graduated with a
B.A. from Stanford University, and obtained a J.D. from Santa Clara University. 
He clerked with the United States Attorney’s Office (San Jose) while in law
school.  Prior to practicing law, Mr. Breen served as a legislative aide to a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.  He is a frequent continuing education lecturer for attorneys and paralegals in the areas of civil litigation, trial practice, ethics, personal injury, and trust/probate litigation. Mr. Breen is admitted to practice in all California courts and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.  He has served as the President of the San Benito County Bar Association for the past three years.