OVERVIEW
Business and real estate litigation attorney Paul Porter represents Fortune 500 companies, individuals, private property owners, public agencies, and businesses of all sizes and kinds in real estate, contract, business disputes, eminent domain, and inverse condemnation.
Paul knows how important it is for clients to manage risk through informed decision-making and tactical conduct when faced with difficult situations and aggressive opposing parties. He works with his clients to develop an advantageous approach suited to each client’s particular business or personal needs, interests, perspectives, and goals, and to strive for a winning position at every step.Known for working hand in hand in the trenches with his clients as issues unfold, Paul is always available for a phone call or meeting face-to-face as critical decision points arise. His clients call on him to step in to work collaboratively to manage difficult situations. He protects their interests and position, helps them avoid unnecessary expense and litigation through thoughtful and experienced situational management, and develops facts and positions that maximize his clients’ success when litigation is appropriate.
In eminent domain, Paul helps private property owners amplify the amount of money paid for property interests being taken by the government. He has a thorough understanding of the public agency perspective, tactics, and goals after representing public agencies in the acquisition of hundreds of property interests.
Paul has extensive experience handling jury, non-jury, arbitration and administrative cases throughout the California courts, and all manner of mediation and settlement alternatives.
In his appellate practice, Paul has pursued and responded to appeals on business, real estate, eminent domain, and inverse condemnation issues, and the prosecution and defense of appellate writs and administrative claims against public agencies.
Paul joined Hill Farrer after graduating from Loyola Law School in 1991 and for years has assisted in firm management on real estate and facilities issues. A member of the Litigation and Real Property Sections of the State Bar of California, Paul has been a panel member at the Georgetown Advanced Commercial Leasing Institute in Washington D.C. He also has spoken at several major law conferences hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers. Additionally, Paul has volunteered as a settlement officer in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Central District Voluntary Settlement Conference program.
- Loyola Law School – J.D. 1991
- Loyola Marymount University – B.A. 1986
CONTRACT DISPUTES
Private Oil Pipeline Real Estate and Contracts
Represent a number of private oil pipeline companies in their defense and prosecution of various claims involving contracts and properties involved in its Southern California pipeline system.
Railroad Company Indemnity Claim Against Public Agency
Represented a national railroad company in its indemnity claim against a California County, where the agreement between the parties provided for contractual indemnity arising from railroad culvert. Successfully tried the case resulting in enforcement of the contract and reimbursement of the railroad’s attorneys’ fees in defending cases brought by third parties, and in prosecuting the indemnity claim.
Purchase and Sale Agreement with Limitation of Liability and Liquidated Damages Provisions
Defended a company in its contract dispute involving the potential sale of merchandise and the enforcement of complicated limitation of liability and liquidated damages provisions. Successful settlement of all claims.
Public Agency Contract Dispute
Counsel a public agency in connection with its 99-year contract with another public agency. Initiated and prosecuted three different lawsuits on behalf of his client over the last 30 years with claims involving difficult and complicated accounting related issues and forcing the defendant contracting agency to honor its contractual obligations. Client has secured more than $40 million in judgment, settlement, and in mandated accounting methodologies resulting from the litigation.
EMINENT DOMAIN
Private Oil Pipeline Companies Acquiring Property Interests
Act on behalf of various private oil pipeline companies in the prosecution of eminent domain actions by the company to acquire various easements and properties for use in its pipeline operations in Southern California.
Representation of Property Owner
Represent property owners in the defense of eminent domain actions seeking to condemn client property and maximize the fair market value paid by the public agency for the client’s property.
City Eminent Domain Complaints
Worked on behalf of a city in Southern California to initiate and litigate dozens of eminent domain actions to a successful conclusion, involving three different public projects, and leading to settlements and the city’s successful acquisition of property interests needed for various street improvement projects.
INVERSE CONDEMNATION
Residential Property Floodwater Damage
Advised a residential property owner in connection with potential damage to its $30+ million property in Malibu and potential inverse condemnation claim against various public entities arising from the stormwater flooding damage.
Commercial Property Damaged by Construction
Represented property owners in inverse condemnation claims against public agency for damage to client caused by the agency’s construction of a subway station adjacent to client’s property.
ADDITIONAL MATTERS
Property Line Easements and Disputes
Negotiated and implemented easements and licenses to resolve property line disputes on commercial property. Tried a case resulting in successful verdict against neighboring property owner’s claims of encroachment.
Property Development Dispute
Represents a client in connection a neighboring property development involving issues regarding use of a shared access road easement, and issues in connection with the city’s approval of the neighbor project.
Contract and Dispute Management and Negotiation
Guided a client, the owner of industrial property in the Port of Los Angeles, in complicated contract negotiations and dealings with public authorities regarding potential eminent domain, property line disputes, and water intrusion claims.
Public Agency Contract for Public Works Project
Advised a public agency in its dealings with various other city, state and national agencies regarding contracts for a multimillion-dollar sand replenishment project and in its dealings with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
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One California Plaza
300 So. Grand Avenue
37th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3147
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TEL: 213.620.0460
FAX: 213.624.4840