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Paul Gordon

Paul A. Gordon

Partner
(415) 995-5014

Intro

Paul has been working with seniors housing and care providers since 1975. He is the author of the book Seniors' Housing and Care Facilities: Development, Business and Operations (Urban Land Institute, 1998) and has been called "godfather of senior housing" by the Chambers USA legal directory.

Paul's entire practice is devoted to representation of seniors housing, long-term care providers, and related organizations. This includes business transactions, regulatory compliance, risk management and dispute resolution, fair housing and ADA compliance and operations counseling. He litigates in federal and state courts, including court and jury trials and appellate work. He has been instrumental in drafting state and model national continuing care and assisted living facility legislation and the U.S. General Accountability Office consulted with him in preparation of its report to the Senate on Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

Given Paul's tenure and experience in the industry, he also serves as an expert witness on senior living communities in federal and state courts.

Paul is a highly sought-after speaker with an international reputation. He has addressed audiences at conferences sponsored by the Urban Land Institute, Harvard University, Boston University, China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce, Sun-Yat Sen University in Guangzhou, China, the American Bar Association, The Canada Forum, the World Research Group, the American Seniors Housing Association, LeadingAge, the National Investment Center, the American Society on Aging, the American Health Care Association, the National Real Estate Development Center, AIC Conferences, Ernst & Young, Coopers & Lybrand, Laventhol & Horwath, the Practicing Law Institute, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the American Health Law Association.

Paul has written or consulted on articles on retirement community development and operations published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, Urban Land Magazine, Seniors Housing Business, the National Real Estate Investor, Provider Magazine, Contemporary Long-Term Care, Multi Housing News, The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, and Retirement Housing Report.

Education

J.D. cum laude University of San Francisco School of Law ( 1975 )
B.A. University of California, Davis ( 1972 )

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
California Supreme Court
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Role

Senior Housing and Care Practice Leader

Americans Senior Housing Association (ASHA). Paul serves as General Counsel to the American Seniors Housing Association and is on their Executive Board.

Acquisitions, mergers and business reorganizations for numerous clients.

Defense of federal and state fair housing claims for numerous clients.

Expert witness testimony in business and injury litigation brought against senior living clients.

Counseling regarding risk management and dispute resolution activities arising from daily operations.

Bar Association of San Francisco, Former Board of Directors

American Bar Association, Former Chair, Housing for the Elderly Committee, Real Property Division

LeadingAge, CA

American and California Assisted Living Facility Associations

LeadingAge, Former Chair, Legal Committee

American Seniors Housing Association, General Counsel and Executive Board

"Charge Nursing Homes More for Emergency Response? Park Ridge Leaders Table the Question," Chicago Tribune (May 2023)

"3 Senior Living Legal Issues to Watch in 2023 and Beyond," Senior Housing News (April 2023)

"After Pandemic Struggles, Senior Housing Makes A Comeback," Law360 (January 2023)

"A Time of Change," Seniors Housing Business (July 2022)

"Court Ruling Offers Hope, But Uncertainty Remains Over Senior Living Liability Protection,Senior Housing News (February 2021)

"Favorable Ruling for Sunrise, Welltower Rests on Complete PREP Act Immunity for Senior Living Providers," Senior Housing News (February 2021)

"Fight Intensifies Over Covid-19 Legal Immunity for Senior Living," Senior Housing News (June 2020)

"What Can Seniors Housing Operators Do to Limit the Threat of Lawsuits?," National Real Estate Investor (February 2019)

Best Lawyers (2016-2024)

Top Rated Lawyer in Northern California, ALM (2019)

Chambers and Partners USA, Healthcare

Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ (2016)

Top Rated Lawyer in Health Care, Martindale-Hubbell™ (2013)

Super Lawyers, Health Care (2006, 2010-2013)