[null, {"document_url": "https://selmanlaw.com/lawyers/paul-e-stephan", "unformatted_src": "https://selmanlaw.com/sites/default/files/Stephen-Paul-New.jpg", "src": "https://selmanlaw.com/sites/default/files/Stephen-Paul-New.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Stephen Paul New"}, null, {"document_url": "https://selmanlaw.com/lawyers/paul-e-stephan", "unformatted_src": "http://i68.tinypic.com/2s1uqdz.jpg", "src": "http://i68.tinypic.com/2s1uqdz.jpg", "formatted_filename": "s uqdz"}, {"document_url": "https://selmanlaw.com/lawyers/paul-e-stephan", "unformatted_src": "http://i66.tinypic.com/29ly9z7.jpg", "src": "http://i66.tinypic.com/29ly9z7.jpg", "formatted_filename": "ly z"}, null]
Paul E.Stephan

EMAIL: email@example.com Location: Santa Ana
Phone: 714.647.2536 Fax: 714.647.9200

Paul Stephan is a Partner in Selman Breitman’s Orange County office and is a member of the firm’s Trucking and Transportation, Commercial Litigation, General Liability, Product Liability, and Toxic Tort/Environmental practice groups.  He represents rental car companies, self-insureds and insurance companies in products liability, general liability, business and corporate, mass/toxic and general litigation, including cases arising out of professional liability defending unique matters from law enforcement activities and EMT services.

A "hands-on" lawyer with "real world" experience, Paul has served as a military legal officer, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, city attorney, in-house claims attorney, and managing attorney for an insurance staff counsel program.

Paul’s extensive experience in trucking and transport provides him a unique ability to address dynamic time-sensitive transportation liability matters, including responding to scenes of catastrophic events and providing on-scene legal services to his clients. He works closely with claim representatives for both transportation insurers and rental car companies to manage pending and potential litigation. Additionally, Paul provides claims and litigation training to various clients on preventative law, as well as compliance with insurance investigative regulations. He regularly tries cases on behalf of clients in state and federal court.

Paul is widely considered a rental car industry expert by his peers and has been responsible for the published opinion in the California Court of Appeal landmark case of  Flores v. Enterprise (2010) 188 Cal App. 4th 1055. He is regularly called upon by clients and legal groups to give presentations on various subject matters relating to rental car law, including those specifically relating to auto/truck products liability and negligent entrustment issues.  Paul is also a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Daily Journal, and has been named a Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers magazine from 2011-2017, in addition to being named to Super Lawyers’ Top 50 in Orange County in 2017, and being rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

When not helping clients with their legal needs, Paul spends time as a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Response Team, the USC Alumni Association, and the Wounded Warrior Foundation, among many other organizations noted at right, including service as a Captain in the United States Navy Reserve.

Representative Matters

Toxic Tort/Environmental

General Liability

Business Litigation

Trucking and Transportation


Admitting Fault Is Not a Blank Check for Medical Treatment Selman Breitman Attorneys Honored as 2018 Southern California Super Lawyers Selman Breitman Honored For a Top Defense Verdict in 2016 Selman Breitman Attorneys Honored as 2017 Southern California Super Lawyers Selman Breitman's $10 Million Asbestos Verdict for Amcord Featured in DRI's The Voice
Selman Breitman Obtains Dismissal of Negligence Case in Las Vegas Selman Breitman's $10 Million Asbestos Verdict Reported in the Daily Journal Selman Breitman Obtains Defense Verdict For Amcord, Inc. in $10 Million Los Angeles Mesothelioma Trial Paul E. Stephan Serves as Red Cross Medic at 2016 Rose Parade SB Attorneys Honored as 2016 Southern California/San Diego Super Lawyers SB Attorneys Recognized As 2015 Super Lawyers SB Starts 2014 With Super Lawyers Recognition Paul Stephan Conducts Seminar On Litigating Rental Car Law Selman Breitman Lawyers Win Yet Another Major Asbestos Jury Trial The Stars Are Out in San Francisco Litigating Personal Injury Cases in the Rental Car Context - Part Two Litigating Personal Injury Cases in the Rental Car Context - Part One



California Enacts New Law On Rideshare Insurance Coverage

Recent Events

Paul Stephan Conducts Seminar On Litigating Rental Car Law August 07, 2014
San Francisco

Mr. Stephan currently holds the rank of Captain, United States Navy Reserve. While a trial lawyer in the firm's San Francisco office, he was recalled twice to active duty after 9/11/01 in the Global War on Terrorism. Mr. Stephan received the Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Appreciation, the Navy Commendation Medal and National Defense Service Medal for his military service in 2003 as a ship's boarding team officer. Mr. Stephan was awarded the Medal of Valor during his prior service as a Deputy Sheriff in Fresno County, California.

Professional Associations And Memberships​ Related Practices

Related Industries

Bar Admission


Southwestern University School of Law, J.D., 1976

University of Southern California, B.A., 1973

United States Army Judge Advocate General Corps Basic School

California State Bar Administrative Law College