Claims against design professionals often turn on technical details. Paul immerses himself in these technical details in every case he handles to be the most prepared person in the room.
Paul is a trial lawyer. He understands that success in the courtroom is the result of diligent preparation and a commitment to understanding all angles of a case, whether advocating on behalf of a client at a mediation, an arbitration hearing, or in the courtroom. Driven to achieve his client’s objectives, Paul enjoys scouring project records for the “needle in the haystack” key to the defense of his client.
Paul understands how those key project records play in the courtroom. Having clerked for the Honorable Michael D. Mason (Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland) during a high-profile construction case, Paul observed first-hand what forms of advocacy were particularly effective when presenting technical details to a jury. Paul brings this experience to bear when advocating on behalf of his design professional clients.
While Paul relishes the opportunity to advocate on behalf of his clients in the courtroom, he also recognizes that many of his clients prefer to avoid the risk of trial. When his client has determined to settle a case, Paul takes pride in his ability to assess the options available to his client, evaluate how to marshal the factual and legal arguments supporting his client’s position, and negotiate a favorable resolution on behalf of his client.
Based on his prowess in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, Paul has served as a trusted advisor to executives and organizational leaders involved in disputes, and has earned peer-reviewed recognition as a SuperLawyer™ in D.C. in 2024 and 2025.
Education
- University of Notre Dame School of Law, J.D.
- University of Michigan, B.A. (with honors)
Highlights
Memberships & Professional Associations
- DC Defense Lawyers Association (Director & Past President)
- AIA-Chesapeake Bay Chapter Board (Allied Director)
- American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law
- Maryland State Bar Association, Construction Section
- The Barristers
Thought Leadership
- Annual Review of Legal Decisions Affecting Architects and Engineers, Co-Presenter (2022-present)
- "Understanding Contract Basics," Co-Presenter, ACEC-Virginia Emerging Leaders Institute (2026)
- Sustainability and Liability: Legal Issues and Best Practices, Co-Presenter, DesignDC (2025)
- Review of Legal Decisions Affecting Architects and Engineers, Presenter, AIA Large Firm Roundtable (2025)
- “Would you Use Another Person’s Toothbrush? Managing the Risk of Taking Over for Another Design Professional,” Author, AIA-PV (2025)
- “I Can’t, But We Can: Key Ingredients of Successful Teaming Agreements,” Co-Author (2025)
- "What Maryland A/E Firms Should Know About Employee Retirement Savings Plans," Co-Author (2025)
- “DC’s Ban on Non-Competes: How Design Professionals Can Balance Compliance with Future Planning,” Co-Author (2024)
- "The Life Cycle of a Design Firm: Thinking Like an Owner," Co-Presenter, AIA-Chesapeake Bay (2024)
- Business Ethics for Professional Engineers, Co-Presenter, DC DLCA (2024)
- “A Cinderella Story: One Size Waiver of Subrogation May Not Fit All,” Co-Author (2023)
- "Contracts: Foundations for Success," Co-Presenter, Business of Light (2023)
- “Ahoy! The Design Professional’s Powerful Leverage for Favorable Contracts,” Co-Author (2022)
- "The Life Cycle of a Design Firm: Startup and Operations," Co-Presenter, Business of Light (2023)
- “Will There Be Peace? Release Scope of a Design Claim Settlement,” Co-Author (2022)
- “No LOL-ing Matter: The Flow-Through Conundrum of Limitation of Liability Clauses,” Co-Author (2022)
- "Mitigating Risk in Design Contracts," Panelist, ACEC-MW Emerging Leaders Institute (2022)
- "Protecting Occupants And the Public Through Proper Contract Administration," Panelist, Construction Specifications Institute-Central Virginia (2022)
- "Harnessing Green Design Innovation While Protecting Occupants & the Public," Co-Presenter, DC Board of Architecture (2022)
- "Contract Administration," Co-Presenter, AIA-Chesapeake Bay (2022)
- "Design Claims: Perils and Prevention," Co-Presenter, AIA-Chesapeake Bay (2022)
- "Negotiating Design Contracts: Minimize Risk to Maximize Profit," Co-Presenter, AIA-DC (2021)
- Maryland Society of Professional Engineers Annual Conference, Panelist (2021)
- "Measuring Up to Sustainability: Risks and Rewards of Green Design," Co-Presenter, DesignDC (2020)
- "Negotiating Design Contracts During a Pandemic,” Author (2020)
- "Taking Charge of Construction Administration Risk," Co-Presenter, DesignDC (2019)
Honors & Recognitions
- Super Lawyers (Washington, DC), 2024-2025 (Super Lawyer) and 2014-2022 (Rising Star)
- Service Award, AIA-Chesapeake Bay (2022)
- Allied Member of the Year Award, AIA-Chesapeake Bay (2021)
