Paul J. Leeds

Paul Leeds is a Commercial Litigation attorney with over 20 years of experience navigating the minefields of bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings for clients in state and federal courts. He frequently represents court appointed fiduciaries, creditors, and business owners looking to maximize recovery from distressed assets.Mr. Leeds first goal- always- is to find a cost-effective business solution to a complex dispute. When a business solution isn’t available, his in-depth knowledge of corporate, commercial, and insolvency law, combined with extensive trial experience, provide his client with a sound litigation strategy and powerful courtroom representation.

Mr. Leeds is an experienced trial attorney, having tried over thirty cases to verdict in state, federal and military courts. In contested matters, he has obtained rulings and verdicts exceeding $8 million on behalf of his clients. He has represented creditors’ committees and debtors in Chapter 11 cases with direct claimsexceeding $40 million. He has also argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit’s Bankruptcy Appellate Panel.

Prior to joining Franklin Soto Leeds LLP, Mr. Leeds was a partner in one of San Diego’s oldest and most distinguished law firms, where he co-chaired the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Practice Group. Prior to private practice, Mr. Leeds served on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, and in the Marine Corps Reserve until his retirement in 2017. He served as a ground officer during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and later as a court martial prosecutor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. Mr. Leeds served for four years as the head of litigation for the Marine Corps Reserve’s government (prosecution) detachment.

Mr. Leeds teaches evidence and trial procedure through the San Diego Inn of Court and other bar associations, is a member of the Lawyer’s Club of San Diego, and is past president of the San Diego Bankruptcy Forum. He is a frequent speaker on the topics related to bankruptcy and trial practice. Mr. Leeds has been recognized by both Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers for both 2021 and 2022.