Paul A. Capua – Founding Attorney

Founder Paul A. Capua is an AV-Preeminent® rated civil trial lawyer. His 22 years of practice have focused on US and international construction law and business law disputes in state and federal courts as well as international and domestic arbitrations.

A former shareholder of the prominent international litigation firm Astigarraga Davis, Capua prosecutes and defends significant claims involving international and domestic engineering, construction, and business disputes. including construction disputes involving offshore floating production, storage, and offloading units (FPSOs); oil refinery turnarounds (TARs); maritime refit and mega yacht conversions; and US commercial & residential construction.

Other case areas include complex business litigation such as trademark, licensing, financial fraud, and employment litigation. With his background representing contractors and corporate parties, and his trial experience in state and federal jury trials and domestic and international arbitration, Capua is an active trial lawyer.

In 2007, the South Florida Daily Business Review recognized Capua along with attorneys José I. Astigarraga and Cristina M. Cardenas as candidate for “Most Effective Lawyer” in recognition of their achievements in obtaining a $52.6 million award in an international business and licensing dispute against one of the world’s leading sporting goods manufacturers.

The following matters are representative of Capua’s recent experience: · 2015 International Construction Dispute (prosecution of claims in excess of $400 Million involving conversion of multiple Very Large Crude Carriers (VCCLs) into floating production, storage, and offloading units (FPSOs)) · 2009 International Construction Arbitration Case (the defense of a Fortune 50 company in multi-million dollar construction and engineering case involving the installation of turbo-machinery during a turnaround (TAR) at an off-shore oil refinery) · Jones Boat Yard, Inc. v. M/V CAPELLA C, 2006 WL 3664405 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 17, 2006) (defense of construction and engineering claims involving the conversion of a 200 ft. refurbished Dutch Pilot Ship into a mega yacht) · 2015 International Media Network Arbitration (defense of media conglomerate in multimillion dollar network licensing and time-brokerage litigation) · International Arbitration Proceedings (breach of international distributorship agreement involving anti-suit injunctions against foreign courts) · 2006 U.S. Federal Court Case (defense of multinational telecommunications company in employment discrimination claims) · ECR Software Corp. v. Zaldivar2013 WL 1742676 (W.D.N.C. 2013) (multi-state employment dispute) · Cruz-Lovo v. Ryder System, Inc., 298 F. Supp. 2d 1248 (S.D. Fla. 2003) (employment dispute) · Taylor v. Camillus House, Inc., 149 F. Supp. 2d 1377 (S.D. Fla. 2001) (race discrimination dispute) · Hornfeld v. City of North Miami Beach, 107 F. Supp. 2d 1359 (S.D. Fla. 2000)  (age discrimination claims) · Padron v. BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc., 196 F. Supp. 2d 1250 (S.D. Fla. 2002) (whistleblower claims) · Martinolich v. Golden Leaf Mgmt., Inc., 786 So. 2d 613 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) rev.den Golden Leaf Mgmt., Inc. v. Martinolich, 814 So. 2d 439 (Fla. 2002) (workers’ compensation retaliation).

In addition to his trial practice, Capua is an active member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Section of Construction Law, the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law and the International Bar Association’s International Construction Projects Committee. He has served as President of the Watauga County Bar Association, Adjunct Professor at University of Miami School of Law and Appalachian State University, and former Co-Chair of the Tortious Interference Subcommittee of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association.

Conversant in Italian and Spanish, Capua also advises international contractors and companies in construction and business transactions and regularly lectures in risk management consulting, training, and seminars. In 2015-16, Capua has lectured on Adopting Risk Management Principles Learned in International Construction Projects to U.S. Construction; Site Management & Safety for Construction and Project Management10 Essential Principles Underlying all Construction Projects; and Key Construction Law Principles the Litigator Should Know.

Capua graduated cum laude and Order of the Lytae (Coif) from South Texas College of Law, where he served on the Moot Court Board and became a finalist in the Bar of the City of New York National Moot Court and Vanderbilt First Amendment Moot Court Competitions. He is admitted to practice in the state courts of Florida and North Carolina, as well as before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.

Licenses

  • Florida, 1994
  • North Carolina, 2009

Practice

  • Civil Trial
  • Business Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Construction Litigation
  • International Arbitration

Education

  • J.D., South Texas College of Law, 1994
  • B.A., Florida State University, 1990

Admissions

  • Florida Courts
  • North Carolina Courts
  • US District Court, Southern District of Florida
  • US District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • US District Court, Western District of North Carolina