Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Paul L. Ness
Law Offices of Paul L. Ness
7220 N. Rosemead Boulevard
Suite 104
San Gabriel, CA 91775
Phone: (626) 575-6111 | Fax: (626) 287-8742
Honesty, Loyalty and Experience
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
My preference for new clients is those who have been injured, cheated or who have been wrongfully sued.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Car/Auto Accidents
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Invasion of Privacy
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Assault & Battery
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Legal Malpractice
Bar Admissions
CA, Aug 1984
Bar Number: 114225
Other Court Admissions
California Supreme Court; United States District Court for Central District of California; United States 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
American Bar Association; Los Angeles County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I am an active participant in the continuing legal education and, in particular, the programs of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
Example Cases
In a life insurance case, a $1.5 million policy had seven members of the decedent's family each claiming the entire proceeds of the policy's bequest to a family trust. After trial in Federal Court, involving issues as diverse as foreign state law, a pre-nuptial agreement, formation of oral and written trusts, California interspousal transfer laws, and insurance law, I won 43 out of 43 issues of fact in law and my client received the entire proceeds of the policy.
In a life insurance case in which the carrier denied payment on grounds of fraud on the application for the policy, I recovered twice the amount of the policy, successfully invoking the double indemnity provision.
In a case of an attorney who defrauded his clients on income tax appeals, I obtained a court judgment for one husband and wife in the amount of $2.5 million.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of California at Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1977
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Philosophy
Graduated in the philosophy honors program; received a number of honorary scholarships including: Ephriam and Amelia Wiess Scholar, Charles Fish Scholar. Taught a graduate class in Interdisciplinary Studies; Co-founder and Co-chairman of the Environmental News Service in conjunction with Interdisciplinary Studies at University of California; President and Founder of Friends of Amnesty International, Berkeley Campus Chapter.
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Loyola Law School
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1981
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
For the past 12 years I have run my own office, in a predominantly Asian and Hispanic community, focusing on people who have been injured in accidents, or who have been cheated.
Previous Employment Summary
I started in 1984 as a public defender for Los Angeles County. In 1985, I went into private practice working for several firms in Beverley Hills, Century City and West Los Angeles in the areas of Personal Injury, Criminal Defense and Civil Appeals and Writs. For the last 12 years I have had my own practice.
Activities and Awards
My current cases include people who have been cheated or abandoned by other lawyers, people who have been denied insurance benefits, and people who have been wrongfully fired from their jobs, as well as the victims of traffic accidents.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Every time I meet with a client, I help them to understand how the law works and how it applies to them, and I encourage their questions. I believe that knowledge is power and that my clients can benefit greatly through understanding the law and knowing how it can work for them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes, I am willing to review documents prepared by clients and I encourage it.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Yes, I am willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves and I have done so on many occasions.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to be a lawyer because I have always liked helping people and have always enjoyed standing up for my beliefs.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have been fortunate enough to work with many other respected attorneys and judges, and I have spent the last 20 years practicing with my colleagues every day in diverse areas of the law.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I get the greatest pleasure from helping people, rather than corporations or institutions. I enjoy knowing that I have helped a particular person overcome their legal problems.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the improvements I have made in the lives of my clients.
Tell us about your law firm:
My office manager has served in the Army, and is an active member of the Asian community. He is highly motivated, enjoys helping people, and has excellent language skills. My secretary is very intelligent and energetic. Both are highly skilled and responsible individuals.
What are your strengths and style?
I am highly analytical. My writing skills are unusually good. I am a patient listener. I have a broad knowledge of the law and I have a wealth of experience throughout the courts of Los Angeles and neighboring counties. If I do not know the answer to a problem, I consult with experts and do legal research in order to find a solution.
I am frank, honest, considerate, and logical.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests include music, reading, spending time with my wife and two kids, and enjoying the outdoors.
Office Manager/Assistant
Peter Ngo, Office Manager, and Vanessa Cheng, Secretary
Fax
(626) 287-8742
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish, Cantonese
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I usually charge a contingency fee of 33% to settle personal injury cases and 40% if the case goes to court. If there is no recovery, there is no fee.
Hourly Rates
My hourly rate is flexible and depends on the case and the client's ability to pay.
Free Initial Consultation?
All initial consultations are free of charge.
Typical Retainer
Retainer, if any, depends upon the case and what the client can afford.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
