Paul O. Lopez is the Chief Operating Officer of the South Florida regional 50-lawyer law firm, Tripp Scott, P.A., where he also chairs the firms Litigation department. Mr. Lopez is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell and is perennially recognized as a Top Lawyer in the categories of Commercial Litigation and Labor & Employment Law by the South Florida Legal Guide, as a Super Lawyer by Florida Super Lawyers in the category of Business Litigation and Labor & Employment Law for over 10 years and has been selected as a member of Florida Trend magazines Legal Elite in the areas of Business Litigation and Labor and Employment Law. He also was honored to receive the Employment Lawyer of the Year in 2015 by South Florida Business and Wealth magazine.

He handles complex business and employment law disputes throughout the United States and throughout Florida, has successfully litigated and tried over 50 high-exposure jury and non-jury trials, and has handled over a 100 evidentiary hearings in both federal and state court throughout his career. Many of those cases involved employment law-related matters, shareholders disputes and Lanham Act violations. Some of his career highlights include the following:

Lead trial counsel on behalf of two New York real estate limited partnerships (with over 1800 German real estate investors) where Paul and his team secured one of the first recorded civil federal and Florida RICO jury verdicts in the United States Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida and obtained a $30 million jury verdict for his clients.
Lead trial counsel in the same RICO case wherein Paul and his team obtained a nationwide injunction against several defendants relating to the disposition of real estate and assets. Later, after the injunction was in place and it was discovered that some of the defendants violated the injunction, Paul and his team successfully secured a contempt ruling and judgment against the defendants for violating the courts injunction order.
Lead trial counsel successfully defending against a $25 million suit under the Lanham Act (unauthorized use of name and likeness in advertising) and comparable state statutes following a two-week trial after seven years of litigation against Pauls client, a national laser vision company.
Lead trial counsel successfully defending against $5 million fraud suit for a Fortune 100 company in which the jury ultimately found for Pauls client on its counterclaim and awarded his client a verdict for every penny sought against the plaintiff after five years of litigation.
Lead trial counsel successfully defending against multi-million dollar race discrimination case on behalf of South Florida governmental entity.
Lead trial counsel obtaining national injunction on behalf of national company against clients former employees and competitor due to violation of non-compete covenants and violation of Floridas Uniform Trade Secret Act under Section 688 of the Florida Statutes.

Having over 30 years of experience litigating business and employment disputes, Paul also uses these skills to draft and negotiate various agreements for his clients. His experience in handling various types of litigation matters as lead trial counsel, as an arbitrator and as a special magistrate throughout his career gives him a unique perspective about the litigation process which translates extremely well for serving as a mediator. Understanding the time and expense connected to litigating and trying a broad range of complex cases provides a foundation that he uses to effectively convince parties about the benefits of settling versus litigating.

Additionally, as part of his continuing effort to give back to his profession, he is the longest serving commissioner on the Fourth District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission which recommends appellate court judges to the Governor’s office for appointment. He has been appointed to that commission by four governors and the Florida Bar. He is also past President of the Federal Bar Association of Broward County and served on the Executive Committee of that organization for over 10 years.

As for community activities, he has served on the corporate and executive board for the Boys & Girls Club of Broward County for over 10 years and served as past Chair of the Corporate Board, while holding many other responsibilities within the organization serving on various committees and sub-committees.

Company Firm

Tripp Scott

Firm Mailing

110 SE 6th St Fl 15
Fort Lauderdale
Florida
33301-5004
United States of America

Fellow Since

February 25, 2023

Practice Areas

  • Commercial Arbitration
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Employment
  • Mediation

Chapter

  • Florida

Committee(s)