Background Information

A. Paloma Ramirez is a 2001 graduate of the Southwestern University School of Law where she was on the Board of Governors for the Moot Court Honors Program.  She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology.  Ms. Ramirez specializes in the defense of contractors and materials suppliers in the areas of construction defect and construction related claims.

Attorney Accomplishments

• Ms. Ramirez currently defends high exposure clients in complex civil litigation matters, including construction defect actions, strict products liability and other general liability suits.   
   

• In defending construction defect actions, Ms. Ramirez has defended General Contractors, Developers and a wide array of Subcontractors.  Her in-depth knowledge of the construction industry has provided her leverage in negotiating settlements. 
   

• Ms. Ramirez successfully opposed a Motion for Determination of Good Faith Settlement, which was anticipated to be granted.  As a result of her opposition, the motion was denied and ultimately Ms. Ramirez was able to utilize this to leverage a favorable settlement for her client.
   

• Ms. Ramirez has successfully opposed a Motion for Summary Adjudications based on a subcontractor’s Duty to Defend under Crawford v. Weathershield.  As a result of the Court’s denial of the motion, developer has been forced to re-evaluate its course of litigation.  The Court of Appeals denied developer’s Writ of Mandate.
   

• Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Ramirez was on the board of the Moot Court Honors Program at Southwestern University School of Law.  She was chosen to represent Southwestern in the National Moot Court Competition as an Oral Advocate and was a Writer and Oral Advocate in the Spong Constitutional Law Moot Court Competition.    Additionally, she worked at UCLA in the Government Relations Department and Alumni Association, where she facilitated discussions between the University and Government official.  She also coordinated outreach for the Diversity and Outreach Alumni programs.

Legal Employment

January 2006- Present
TYSON & MENDES LLP
San Diego, California
Insurance defense litigation practice specializing in construction defect and construction related claims.

March 2002- December 2005
Carrick & Ramey, L.L.P
San Diego, California
Defend complex civil litigation in the areas of construction defect, personal injury and insurance litigation.

August 2000- November 2000
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Los Angeles, California
Legal extern in the area of employment law including Title VII, ADA and ADEA.

June 2000- August 2000
Law Office of Gilbert Geilim
Los Angeles, California
Law clerk in civil litigation and criminal law.

Education

SOUTHWESTERN University School of Law
Juris Doctor – May 2001

University of California Los Angeles
Bachelor of Arts – Sociology/Business Administration, June 1996

Memberships

California Bar, Admitted 2001

Member, San Diego Defense Lawyers

Member, San Diego County Bar Association