Paul M. Gelb represents clients in all aspects of their businesses including data use and privacy, technology transactions, e-commerce, and real estate. He provides business and regulatory counsel and, when necessary, litigates on their behalf in state and federal courts.
Paul has also represented clients in a variety of land use litigation and regulatory matters arising under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
In addition, Paul counsels clients on numerous aspects of digital marketing, from crafting and implementing branding and licensing agreements to responding to potential lawsuits. He has assisted clients with issues related to social media, branding, internet law, and false advertising.
Paul’s clients have included the Oakland Raiders, Warner/Chappell Music, Walmart, NextEra Energy, the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians, Fremont General Corporation, and Missoni.
Experience :
Paul handles the purchase and sale of industrial properties, commercial lease negotiations and agreements, zoning disputes, title actions and issues related to mixed-use developments. He complements his real estate work with litigating disputes involving energy and environmental issues. Representative experience includes :
- Defending action asserting claims against the Bureau of Land Management for alleged NEPA and ESA violations during its approval of two solar energy projects in the Mojave Desert (obtained summary judgment). Defenders of Wildlife v. Sally Jewell et al.
- Defending an action brought by a coalition of labor unions against the California Energy Commission for alleged CEQA violations concerning its certification of the Blythe Solar Energy Project in the California desert (obtained dismissal).Laborers’ International Union of North America, Local Union No. 1184 v. Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission.
- Defending against claims brought under the Subdivision Map Act and CEQA that challenged construction of a retail project in Barstow, California. CREED-21 et al. v. City of Barstow.
- Defending a quiet title action concerning a valuable property between a Westfield Shopping Center and the historic Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, California. Santa Anita Companies, Inc.v. Westfield Corp., Inc.
- Defending an action brought by a federally recognized Native American tribe against the federal government to enjoin the development of a solar energy project for alleged NEPA and NHPA violations (obtained denial of preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court and the Ninth Circuit, and then favorably settled action). Colorado River Indian Tribes v. U.S. Dep’t of the Interior, et al.
- Obtaining appellate reversal of trial court order that had denied a motion to compel arbitration. Pulli v. Pony International, LLC (published appellate decision available at Pulli v. Pony Intern., LLC (2012) 206 Cal.App.4th 1507).
- Petitioning the California Supreme Court for review of an action concerning over $1 billion in claims asserted against the NFL. Oakland Raiders v. National Football League, et al. (Supreme Court opinion available at Oakland Raiders v. National Football League (2007) 41 Cal.4th 624).
Cost
Rate : $$$