WK Counsel Elected Parliamentarian of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Gary M. Paul Installed at ATLA’s 60th Annual Meeting
LOS ANGELES — Gary M. Paul, of Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel’ Los Angeles office, has been elected to a one-year term as parliamentarian of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA), the world’s largest trial bar.
Mr. Paul was installed into the position during the organization’s 60th annual convention, held in Seattle last week. Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel also hosted a reception in his honor.
ATLA is dedicated to preserving the civil justice system and making sure that powerful special interests are held accountable when they engage in misconduct or negligence.
“ATLA’s work is so important to the future of the civil justice system in this country,” said Mr. Paul, after his election. “The only way to preserve our legal system is to continue to fight back…in Congress and the state legislatures…against the ongoing effort to curtail the right of plaintiffs to seek justice in the courts. I am involved in ATLA because I firmly believe it is the best way to preserve our system of justice.”
Mr. Paul has been a member of ATLA since 1981. He has also served on the Association’s Board of Governors (2001–present), and Executive Committee (2005–2006).
Peter Kraus, a founding partner of Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, commented, “We are delighted with Gary’s election to ATLA parliamentarian. His 30-year career is a clear reflection of the association’s mission both in terms of his experience and track record as a trial attorney and in his dedication to protecting the rights of plaintiffs against large, corporate interests.”
WK co-founder Andy Waters agreed, “Parliamentarian is the first step toward assuming the top leadership role in ATLA. Gary’s passion, skill and intelligence will be a great asset to the Association in the coming years.”
About Gary M. Paul
Gary Paul brings 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 his Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona 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 spacecraft 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 practice by the state bar of California the same year. Mr. Paul 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.
He is a long-time member of Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). He has served on the Board of Governors, and as president of both CAALA and CAOC. Since 2001, he has been a board member and is now president for 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. The Institute works to present judges, academics and others with a balanced view of the U.S. civil justice system.
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 thrice for outstanding service to the legal profession and his community by the CAALA and CAOC, including being selected as Trial Lawyer of the Year by CAALA. Los Angeles magazine also recognized Mr. Paul as a Southern California Super Lawyer in both 2005 and 2006.
About Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP
Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel, LLP, is a national plaintiffs’ firm concentrating on complex product liability and personal injury/wrongful death cases. The firm’s diverse practice includes toxic tort litigation, pharmaceutical product liability, malpractice and negligence, and consumer product liability, as well as qui tam (whistleblower), employment and labor, insurance and commercial litigation. With offices in California and Texas, Waters Kraus Paul & Siegel has litigated cases in jurisdictions across the United States on behalf of individuals from all 50 states, as well as foreign governments.
About the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA)
With about 65,000 members worldwide, ATLA promotes justice and fairness for injured persons, defends the constitutional right to trial by jury and strengthens the civil justice system through education and disclosure of information critical to public health and safety. The association provides lawyers with the information and professional assistance they need to serve clients successfully and protect the democratic values of the civil justice system.
