Robert Bell has extensive experience in labor and employment litigation, representing both non-union and unionized employers in a wide range of fields including telecommunications, entertainment, publishing, manufacturing, aerospace and high technology. Mr. Bell’s practice encompasses all areas of employment disputes with a special emphasis on the litigation of wrongful discharge, discrimination and sex harassment lawsuits.

Prior to joining Paul Plevin, Mr. Bell was a Shareholder at Heller Ehrman and previously was a Partner with Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich where he served as head of the firm’s Employment Services Practice Group.

Mr. Bell has spoken on labor and employment-related issues for various groups,  including local and State Bar Labor and Employment Sections and the CEB. He has been consistently recognized for his employment law experience in The Best Lawyers in America, an annual publication listing notable lawyers in all practice groups.

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Represented Sony Entertainment in unfair business practices action; settled. Park Place v. Sony Entertainment.
• Represented Sweet Factory in action alleging wrongful termination and sexual harassment; defense verdict. Synder v. Sweet Factory.
• Represented Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical in a wrongful termination - age discrimination suit; defense verdict. St. John v. Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical.
• Represented San Diego Zoo in an action alleging wrongful termination and violation of public policy; defense judgment. Guerro v. San Diego Zoo.
• Represented Sea World in an action alleging wrongful termination and sexual harassment; defense verdict. Clemens v. Sea World.
• Represented The Salk Institute against allegations of wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation; defense verdict. Sanders v. The Salk Institute.
• Represented QUALCOMM Incorporated in an action alleging wrongful termination and violation of CFRA; defense verdict; sustained on appeal. Tomlinson v. QUALCOMM Incorporated.
• Represented Household Automotive in a sex discrimination and wrongful termination suit; summary judgment. Barbee v. Household Automotive.
• Represented QUALCOMM Incorporated in a class action alleging age discrimination; pending. Durante, et al. v. QUALCOMM Incorporated.
• Represented Household Automotive Finance in a class action involving overtime pay; pending. Martinez, et al. v. Household Automotive Finance.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Board of Directors, San Diego Legal Aid Society.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Paul, Plevin, Sullivan & Connaughton
  January 2007 - present
• Heller Ehrman LLP - Shareholder
  2000-2006
• Gray, Cary, Ware & Freidenrich - Partner
  1970-2000

EDUCATION

• University of California, Hastings College of the Law
  J.D. 1970
• University of Colorado
  B.A. 1964

ADMISSIONS

Mr. Bell is admitted to practice in the state of California.