Paul J. Byrne
Commercial Litigation; Labor and Employment
pbyrne@cornerlaw.com
415-357-2094
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Paul J. Byrne is a principal in Cornerstone Law Group’s San Francisco Office, where he concentrates his practice on commercial and employment litigation in both state and federal courts.
Mr. Byrne emphasizes providing efficient, pro-active and responsive legal solutions to individuals, businesses and officers and directors involved in disputes arising out of
- Breach of contract/lease
- Intellectual property (trade secrets, trademarks, and copyright)
- Unfair competition
- Business torts
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Employment (wrongful termination, discrimination, wage and hour, commission, employment torts, whistleblower and employment contract issues)
- Product liability
- Real estate, and
- Partnership disputes.
Mr. Byrne began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney with Hinkle, Jachimowicz & Pointer in San Jose, California, where he gained valuable courtroom experience throughout Bay Area courts. Mr. Byrne turned to civil litigation with the Saratoga law firm Hinshaw, Marsh, Still & Hinshaw. While working on a broad spectrum of civil cases in state and federal courts, Mr. Byrne developed an expertise in product liability litigation arising out of the Fen-Phen diet drug lawsuits. Mr. Byrne then joined Lillick & Charles, LLP’s San Francisco office, which later became Nixon Peabody, LLP, where he continued to represent individuals and companies in civil and employment litigation disputes.
Mr. Byrne’s community involvement and pro bono work includes acting as general counsel to Project Homeless Connect (a San Francisco non-profit dedicated to finding lasting solutions to homelessness), participating in the Mississippi Project by assisting Hurricane Katrina victims secure reconstruction funds, and providing the legal work on the documentary film Pursuit of Equality. Mr. Byrne taught moot court to students at Lincoln High School. As a member of Mayor Gavin Newsom’s transition team in 2003, Mr. Byrne worked on community development issues.
Mr. Byrne earned a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1997. He studied Comparative Torts at Oxford University, Magdalen College, in 1994. Mr. Byrne is a member of the San Francisco County and Santa Clara County Bar Associations.