Paul focuses on representing clients in civil appeals. Whether a case is resolved in the trial court on a motion to dismiss or after a two-week trial, the appellate process presents unique challenges calling for special skills. Paul has honed those skills working appeals in state and federal courts in Tennessee and beyond, including in North Carolina, Wisconsin, and multiple federal courts of appeal. He has worked cases at every stage of the appellate process, from the post-trial motions to the petition for writ of certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, and in numerous types of appeal, from standard appeals as of right following final judgment to interlocutory appeals by permission and direct bankruptcy appeals certified to the Court of Appeals. Paul has briefed and argued multiple appeals before the Tennessee Supreme Court, before all three sections of the Tennessee Court of Appeals, and in multiple federal Courts of Appeal.

The foundation for a successful appeal is laid in the trial court. Paul has represented clients facing an array of problems, including commercial lawsuits over misconduct by fiduciaries, breach of contract, disputed real-estate titles, unfair competition and interference with business relations, securities violations, insurance coverage, and the ownership and operation of business entities. And Paul has assisted clients in other contexts, such as mass tort and personal injury, when their cases present unusual procedural or jurisdictional questions. Getting those issues right the first time can mean the difference between obtaining a successful verdict that can be defended on appeal and years of delay and frustration, or worse.

Education

• J.D., University of Notre Dame, 2010 magna cum laude
  • Journal of College & University Law 2008–2010 (Executive Articles Editor, 2009–2010)
• B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, 2007 magna cum laude

Published Works

• One Bite at a Time: Analyzing the Prior-Suit-Pending Doctrine in Tennessee, 48 Tenn. Bar J. 14 (June 2012).
• TWB Architects Inc. v. The Braxton LLC: The Unchanging Rule for Plaintiffs’ Summary Judgment Motions, 51 U. Mem. L. Rev. 1 (2020)

Bar Admissions

• Supreme Court of Tennessee
• Supreme Court of the United States
• U.S. Court of Appeals 2d Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 3d Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee

Classes/Seminars Taught

• Presenter, “What You Need to Know About the Economic Loss Doctrine After Milan Supply Chain Solutions v. Navistar,” Nashville Bar Association, 2021
• Panelist, “Tennessee Supreme Court Boot Camp,” Tennessee Bar Association, October 2023
• Co-Presenter, “Vintage Verdicts: Enduring Wisdom from Historic Cases,” Tennessee Bar Association, August 2024

   

   

Representative Cases

• Family Trust Services LLC v. Green Wise Homes LLC, 693 S.W.3d 284 (Tenn. 2024)
• State ex rel. Sullivan County v. Tochev, No. E2023-0072, 2024 WL 1295469 (Tenn. Ct. App. March 27, 2024)
• Miller v. Brighstar Asia Ltd., 43 F.4th 112 (2d Cir. 2022)
• Milan Supply Chain Solutions Inc. v. Navistar Inc., 627 S.W.3d 125 (Tenn. 2021)
• Pagliara v. Pagliara, 614 S.W.3d 85 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2020) 
• Bunn v. Navistar Inc., 797 F. App’x 247 (6th Cir. 2020)
• In re Estate of Meadows, No. M2017-1062, 2018 WL 1920378 (Tenn. Ct. App. April 24, 2018)
• Walker v. Family Trust Services LLC, No. 3:16-cv-01976, 2018 WL 646411 (M.D. Tenn. Jan. 31, 2018) (bankruptcy appeal)
• Tennessee Insurance Guaranty Association v. Penguin Random House LLC, 271 F. Supp. 3d 959 (M.D. Tenn. 2017) (securing remand)
• Nelson v. Alliance Hospitality Management LLC, 247 N.C. App. 246, 2016 WL 1566140 (2016)
• Orlando Residence Ltd. v. Nelson, 565 F. App’x 212 (4th Cir. 2014) 
• In re Estate of Ross, No. M2013-2218, 2014 WL 2999576 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 30, 2014)
• Barrick v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., No. M2013-1773, 2014 WL 2970466 (Tenn. Ct. App. June 27, 2014)
• Rock Ivy Holding LLC v. RC Properties LLC, 464 S.W.3d 623 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2014)
• FDIC v. Thornton, 595 F. App’x 513 (6th Cir. 2014) 
• Orlando Residence Ltd. v. Nelson, 834 N.W.2d 416 (Wis. Ct. App. 2013)
• Bennett v. Durham, 683 F.3d 734 (6th Cir. 2012) 
• Pitts v. Villas of Frangista Owners’ Association Inc., No. M2010-01293, 2011 WL 4378027 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2011)