Paul B. Lewis

Partner Boston

T +1 617.598.2426

[email protected]

Biography

Paul B. Lewis is a partner in the Boston office where he focuses on complex civil litigation. Paul has significant first‑chair trial and appellate experience representing clients in a broad range of civil disputes, including contract litigation, consumer class actions, wrongful death actions, franchise disputes, real estate matters, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 93A claims, and False Claims Act litigation. His work also includes defending against extortionate business practice allegations, Massachusetts Wage Act and retaliation claims, closely held partnership disputes, and requests for temporary restraining orders.

Paul has handled matters before federal and state courts at every level, including dispositive motion practice, jury trials, appeals, and precedent‑setting litigation. He has also represented major technology, retail, and hospitality clients in high‑stakes litigation involving arbitration issues, statutory interpretation, class‑action defenses, and removal and remand strategy.

In addition to his commercial practice, Paul maintains a substantial pro bono docket. He has represented indigent defendants in federal court, families affected by unsafe housing conditions, and foster children in a significant case regarding federal entitlement benefits. His pro bono work has been repeatedly recognized, including by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s Honor Roll.

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Selected Client Representations

Secured dismissal of wrongful death action on behalf of hospitality client in Hampden County (Massachusetts) Superior Court, via judgment on the pleadings. John F. Bonafini Personal Representative for the Estate of Michael C. Bonafini vs. G6 Hospitality Property, LLC et al, Hampden Superior Court C.A. No. 1879CV00056 (September 16, 2020). Subsequently, as appellee, successfully defended trial-level judgment to precedent-setting appellate decision through Massachusetts appellate court of last resort. Bonafini v. G6 Hosp. Prop., LLC, 101 Mass. App. Ct. 612, 194 N.E.3d 234 (2022); Bonafini v. G6 Hosp. Prop., LLC, 491 Mass. 1101 (2022).
At the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, defeated Petiton for Writ of Mandamus and/or Prohibition on procedural issue following dismissal. Talasazan v. United States District Court for the Central District of California, Los Angeles, No. 24-7726-014 (9th Cir. Jan. 22, 2025).
Successfully defended against putative class action by removing case to the U.S. District Court under the Class Action Fairness Act and then immediately certifying salient legal question to the Massachusetts appellate court of last resort, which then issued a precedent-setting interpretation of a nineteenth-century notary fee limitation statute based on centuries-old source material. Richardson v. UPS Store, Inc., Civil Action No. 18-cv-12338-ADB, 2019 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104796 (D. Mass. June 24, 2019); Richardson v. UPS Store, Inc., 486 Mass. 126, 156 N.E.3d 177 (2020).
Secured early dismissal of federal putative class action, on behalf of international technology company, through argument grounded in choice-of-law analysis.
At the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, secured dismissal in collateral appeal following Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(6) dismissal at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. In re: Harel Talasazan, No. 23-1780 (1st Cir. Apr. 10, 2024).
On behalf of an international retail establishment, secured defensive judgment on the merits against claims for fraudulent misrepresentation, unfair business practices, and promissory estoppel, in the Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Superior Court Business Litigation Session. Lululemon USA, Inc. v. -CWB Retail Limited Partnership, Suffolk Superior Court C.A. No. 2084CV00205 (February 19, 2021).
At the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, secured precedent-setting appellate victory (regarding limits of so-called “Burford” abstention) on behalf of a national preschool company, while simultaneously averting imminent pandemic-era eviction. Forty-Six Hundred LLC v. Cadence Educ., LLC, 15 F.4th 70 (1st Cir. 2021).
At the Massachusetts Appeals Court, secured vacatur and remand of interlocutory order in connection with a civil restraining order proceeding. M.B. v. A.G., 105 Mass. App. Ct. 1110, 250 N.E.3d 598 (2025).
Prevailed in appeal of interlocutory discovery order before the Single Justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, as appellee. Department of MA Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, Inc & another vs. Donovan Properties LLC & another, Massachusetts Appeals Court SJ No. 2024-J-0521 (August 29, 2024).
Secured dismissal on the merits of federal action against international technology company for its alleged participation in government entity’s misconduct through use of its software. Talasazan v. Microsoft Corporation et al, 1:22-cv-11764-DJC (D. Mass., June 21, 2022).
At the Massachusetts Appeals Court, secured reversal of trial court’s denial of technology company’s motion to compel arbitration, through argument hinging on interpretation of the Federal Arbitration Act. Cuneo v. Nat'l Delivery Sys., 100 Mass. App. Ct. 1112, 178 N.E.3d 899 2021 Mass. App. Unpub. LEXIS 689 (November 5, 2021).
Convinced Plaintiff’s attorney to voluntarily dismiss Trafficking Victims Protection Act action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, due to a myriad of legal deficiencies that would otherwise have been exposed via motion to dismiss. Asia Graves v. Marriott International Hotel, Inc. et al., 1:24-CV-10532-DJC (D. Mass., June 11, 2024).

*Some of these representations were handled by Paul prior to joining Haynes Boone.

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Press Release

Haynes Boone Continues Boston Buildout with Litigation Partner Paul B. Lewis and Counsel Brett Walker

April 08, 2026

Paul B. Lewis

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