My Why

What powers my practice

Because I always wanted to make a living in public speaking and admired the polished, articulate, confident lawyers I knew growing up, becoming a trial lawyer fit the person and professional I aspired to be. Even after 35 years in practice, I’m still learning—and my proudest moments are applying new legal principles to benefit our clients. As my practice has matured, I’ve served on community boards and supported causes I care about, using my legal skills to promote fair, transparent, and sound decision‑making. I truly enjoy my work and am proud of my profession, which has opened so many opportunities to do good.

Overview

For more than 30 years, Paul has specialized in product liability defense, toxic tort defense, class action defense, multi-district litigation (MDL) defense, and other complex commercial litigation. He is particularly well known for his work in the class action, mass tort, and food and beverage sectors, where he is a nationally and locally recognized speaker and thought leader on product liability issues and regulatory trends.

In all of these areas, Paul has established a reputation for outstanding results. He has used motion practice to obtain summary judgment and/or dismissal in more than half of the cases he has defended in Wisconsin State and Federal Court. He has argued multiple cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and handled numerous matters that have resulted in reported decisions across the country.

Experience

Solutions in action

As lead trial counsel for one of the world’s largest independent iron foundries, Paul is defending a “hybrid” collective action and class action involving claims under the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Wisconsin state law that production employees should be compensated for time spent “donning” and “doffing” the protective gear required for work in an environment allegedly containing silica dust. The only case of its kind in the country, its outcome hinges on the safety of the work environment and will set an important precedent.

Paul is lead national trial counsel for a flavor and fragrance company, defending it in cases brought against companies industry-wide involving the butter-flavoring chemical diacetyl, which allegedly causes respiratory injury to workers and consumers. Paul is also Wisconsin trial counsel defending one of the world’s best known chemical companies, currently being sued in over 170 cases in Wisconsin state and federal courts for allegedly selling lead pigment decades ago. The cases are being brought under Wisconsin’s “risk contribution” theory of liability, making these cases unlike any others in the country.

Credentials

  • University of Minnesota Law School, Juris Doctor (J.D.), Member & Director, International Moot Court Team, 1990, cum laude
  • Macalester College, Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Political Science, Speech Communication and Philosophy, Member, Phi Beta Kappa; two time national debate champion, 1987, magna cum laude

  • Wisconsin
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

  • “Lawyer of the Year”, The Best Lawyers in America©, 2024
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent Rated
  • The Products Liability Lawyers, Recommended Attorney and Firm in Wisconsin, 2023
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Lawyer of the Year, 2022
  • The Midwest’s Best Lawyers©, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2021
  • Leading Litigation: General Commercial Lawyer, Chambers USA, 2019-present
  • FaBfive Award Recipient, FaB Wisconsin, 2019
  • Ranked Top Rated Lawyer™ in litigation by Martindale-Hubbell®, 2015-present
  • Included in Wisconsin’s Best Lawyers: A Guide to Wisconsin’s Top Attorneys
  • “Leading Lawyers” list, Milwaukee’s M Magazine
  • Who’s Who Legal: Product Liability Defense, ABA Section of International Law, 2014-present
  • Litigation Star, Benchmark Litigation, 2013-present
  • Leaders in the Law, Wisconsin Law Journal, 2010
  • Best Lawyers®, Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2007-present
  • Selected to Civil Litigation, Class Action/Mass Torts, Employment & Labor, General Litigation, Personal Injury Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers®, 2005-2024

Engagement

  • Board of Directors, President, Milwaukee Bar Association Foundation
  • Council Member and Food Safety Co-Chair, FaB Wisconsin
  • Sustaining Member, Product Liability Advisory Council
  • Member, American Bar Association (multiple sections)
  • Member, Defense Research Institute (multiple sections)
  • Member, Food and Drug Law Institute
  • Member, Midwest Food Processors Association
  • Member, Seventh Circuit Bar Association
  • Member, Wisconsin Association for Justice
  • Member, Wisconsin Bar Association (multiple sections)
  • Member, United States Supreme Court Historical Society
  • Law360 Product Liability Editorial Advisory Board Member, 2012-2017
  • Former Board Member, Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Former Board Member, Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association

  • Member, Milwaukee Athletic Club
  • Council Member, Lector and Usher, Fox Point Lutheran Church
  • Volunteer, The Gathering

Insights

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