Paul is a nationally-recognized expert in mediation of technology-related disputes.  His qualifications and experience include the following:

  • Mediation and Arbitration Panelist, American Arbitration Association, 2004-present;
  • Mediation and Arbitration Panelist, International Center for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), 2008-present;
  • Mediation and Arbitration Panelist, Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center’s Tech List, which lists highly experienced technology mediators;
  • American Intellectual Property Law Association’s List of Mediators and Arbitrators, which lists highly experienced intellectual property mediators;
  • Adjunct Professor of Law at the U.S. News No. 1 ranked dispute resolution program in the country, Pepperdine University School of Law’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution teaching trade secret and technology-related mediation in  “Selected Issues in Dispute Resolution: Intellectual Property Disputes,” 2008-present;
  • Vice-Chair, ADR Committee, American Intellectual Property Law Association;
  • Author and Speaker, “Cutting Edge Issues in Mediation Ethics: Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege in Patent Cases,” AIPLA Annual Meeting, 2017;
  • Quoted in patent mediation article in the Daily Journal, 2017;
  • Best Lawyers in America, Intellectual Property Litigation and Patent Law, 2007-2019;
  • Chapter Chair, Licensing Executives Society of the USA and Canada, 2005-present.

Paul has extensive experience handling technology-related litigation and transactions.  He received a B.S. in Computer Science, magna cum laude, worked as a software developer before law school and continued to update his computer skills while practicing law.  Paul also designed and taught for over 10 years the first law school course in the country on Biotechnology Licensing and Litigation.  In addition to his extensive technology-related litigation experience, Paul has over 20 years of experience negotiating and drafting numerous license agreements, joint technology development agreements, technology manufacturing agreements, master services agreements and many other types of technology-related agreements.  Paul’s technology knowledge and experience includes the following subject matter:

  • computer hardware, software, databases, cloud computing, information technology, licensing, artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, bitcoin and other cryptocurrency;
  • life sciences (including medical and dental devices, biotechnology, genomics, proteinomics, biologics, and pharmaceuticals);
  • chemical engineering;
  • mechanical engineering;
  • electrical engineering;
  • semiconductor processing;
  • telecommunications; and
  • Internet-based technologies.

The following is a representative sample of technology disputes in which Paul has served as arbitrator or mediator:

  • Trade secret misappropriation dispute involving integrated circuit technology with alleged exceeding $20 million.
  • False advertising dispute involving cybersecurity and data privacy software providers.
  • Contract dispute involving acquisition of bitcoin mining computer systems.
  • Dispute involving hundreds of allegedly defective tablet computers between Asian manufacturer and U.S. Distributor with claims exceeding $30 million.
  • Dispute involving claims of tens of millions of dollars between an electrical products manufacturer and distributor.
  • Dispute between Silicon Valley-based company and India-based company involving alleged breach of license agreements involving surgical implants.
Paul Burns Legal

Mediator Paul E. Burns, Esq.
c/o Procopio
633 West 5th Street, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071 

Tel: 310-990-3232
Email: paul.burns@procopio.com