Patrick J. Paul, P.C., Partner at our Phoenix law office
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Patrick J. Paul, P.C.

Partner
Biography

Patrick Paul is a practical problem solver with more than 25 years of experience developing meaningful relationships with critical decision makers. With notable land use, environmental due diligence, zoning, regulatory, renewable energy and litigation experience, Patrick assists both large and small clients in traditional and developing industries manage regulatory compliance issues associated with the construction and development of manufacturing, distribution, renewable and fossil fuel power production facilities, hospitality venues, and the management of related complex land use, environmental and regulatory issues. He also provides land use and zoning counseling and assists new and expanding businesses maximize available economic incentives to facilitate relocation and growth.

Patrick consistently represents clients before a bevy of regulatory agencies on environmental permitting matters, including air emissions, water utilization, wastewater discharge, and energy storage matters. He also represents clients in connection with the use of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, Patrick regularly counsels clients with respect to the acquisition of food safety and liquor licenses regarding the production, importation and distribution of spiritous liquors for alcohol beverage companies, brewers, hotels, management companies, golf courses, restaurants and bars. He is a frequent author and speaker on these issues to various industry, legislative and legal education organizations, including as an adjunct professor in the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) program at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona
  • Colorado


Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of Arizona
  • Supreme Court of Colorado
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Arizona


Education

  • Vanderbilt University, School of Law (J.D.)
    • Managing Editor, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law
  • State University of New York at Albany (B.A., magna cum laude)
  • Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, Ireland
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Environmental Law, Government Relations Practice, Environmental Litigation (2006-2025); Insurance Law, Insurance Litigation (2023-2025)
    • Phoenix Lawyer of the Year, Government Relations Practice (2022)
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business®, Environment (including water rights) (2009-2024)
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow (2020)
  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award, Airlines/Aviation (2020)
  • Outstanding Mentor of the Year, ASU Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Mentorship Initiative in Sustainability Law (2017)
  • Southwest Super Lawyers®, Environmental Litigation (2007-2020)
  • Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (2013)
  • Best of the Bar, The Phoenix Business Journal
  • Who’s Who Legal – Environment, Global Leader (2019-2020)

Representative Experience

Environmental and Land Use Litigation

  • Defended manufacturer of polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAs) in connection with personal injury claims associated with alleged exposure
  • Defended numerous construction trades, property owners and management companies against claims for damages associated with alleged exposure to various toxic substances
  • Represented NBA franchise related to the zoning and redevelopment of urban property near team arena
  • Represented manufacturer of military, law enforcement and personal safety equipment in connection with lease obligations and compliance with local zoning and environmental requirements
  • Defended energy, defense, development, health care, hospitality and industrial companies against claims from federal, state and local agencies regarding compliance with land use, development, water and air permit limitations under laws including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
  • Federal and state Superfund defense of various publicly traded, privately held and smaller companies.
  • Represented Fortune 100 beverage producer in defense of Clean Water Act, Superfund and Underground Storage Tank claims
  • Assisted publicly traded oil company on claims for reimbursement associated with remediation of various UST sites throughout Arizona
  • Defended international mining company against Superfund reimbursement claims

Hospitality, Liquor Licenses, Food & Health Safety

  • Provided counseling with respect to FDA menu labeling requirements for chain restaurants impacting the advertised caloric content of food and alcohol items
  • Assisted international confectioner with respect to U.S. carbon neutral labeling guidelines
  • Provided liquor license and related food handling regulatory compliance guidance associated with the merger of two publicly traded hospitality companies, including the transfer of certain existing permits and acquisition of new ones to facilitate merger and uninterrupted continuity of business operations
  • Assisted privately held brewery with the acquisition of liquor licenses and related regulatory compliance matters associated with the construction and development of state-of-the-art seltzer brewing and packaging facility in Arizona
  • Represented grocery store chain in the acquisition of 140 stores in the western United States, including the transfer of existing liquor licenses, expansion of liquor sale privileges and the procurement of relevant state and federal environmental, health, food handling and safety permits
  • Assisted start-up in connection with the acquisition and development of hotel properties, including acquisition of liquor licenses and various local compliance obligations
  • Provided liquor license and regulatory compliance assistance to numerous privately owned restaurant and bar operations associated with both entry into local markets and expansion of existing presence, including land use and zoning matters impacting the expansion of premise
  • Represented international restaurant chain in connection with menu compliance with local health code requirements

Renewable Energy

  • Provided land use, zoning and regulatory compliance counseling to international renewable energy producer regarding the acquisition of solar assets in the western United States
  • Represented renewable energy company in connection with acquisition and development of high BTU anaerobic digester project
  • Assisted wind energy company in connection with regulatory compliance issues associated with the acquisition of related assets in northern Arizona
  • Represented clients in connection with lithium battery storage and compliance matters
  • Represented electric vehicle manufacturer in connection with acquisition and development of facility in Arizona and management of prospective environmental liabilities
  • Provided legal opinions to numerous financial institutions in connection with financing wind and solar projects

Environmental Compliance and Land Use Due Diligence

  • Represented publicly traded retail beverage producer in connection with identification of hundreds of new locations to facilitate drive-through access and manage environmental risk associated with historic operations
  • Represented international nonprofit healthcare organization in the acquisition, development and expansion of health care facilities including managing disposal of medical waste, compliance with Clean Water Act §404 requirements, and general risk management for environmental matters
  • Counsel to international hotel chain in connection with environmental liabilities associated with portfolio expansion
  • Assisted numerous hard-rock mining companies on various environmental and land use compliance matters
  • Represented public university with respect to land disposition and management of asbestos disposal
  • Provided compliance counsel to health care facilities in connection with facility demolition and renovation activities and related asbestos management requirements
  • Represented produce growers, packagers and sellers associated with USDA, FDA and related state and local environmental compliance issues
  • Represented western municipality regarding EPA non-compliance allegations associated with discharges from Publicly Owned Treatment Works facility
  • Lender liability counseling to numerous financial institutions related to loans associated with brownfield and contaminated properties

Zoning and Land Use

  • Assisted publicly traded athletic shoe manufacturer in connection with acquisition of manufacturing and distribution facility
  • Represented asphalt producer focused on environmentally sustainable products from recycled rubber in the acquisition of land and development of manufacturing facility, including environmental due diligence and compliance with state and local zoning, land use and air quality requirements
  • Provided land use, environmental and zoning counseling to milk company associated with land acquisition, development and construction of 300,000sf production and distribution facility, including economic development incentives from state and local commerce agencies
  • Advocated for zoning and land use changes and permits on behalf of various development companies before numerous state and local zoning authorities
  • Represented privately held telecommunications infrastructure company associated with the expansion of wireless capabilities utilizing existing state and local infrastructure, including the negotiation of numerous right-of-way master license agreements with local municipalities throughout Arizona

Government Relations

  • Negotiated economic incentive and employment commitment agreements on behalf of numerous clients seeking to expand industrial, commercial and manufacturing operations within Arizona.
  • Represented numerous clients in connection with development agreements with various Arizona governmental agencies
  • Advocated for legislative and regulatory changes to facilitate business relocation to Arizona and expansion within Arizona
  • Represented silicon wafer facility related to the situs and development of manufacturing facility
  • Represented foundry in connection with expansion of facility challenged by residential growth
  • Provided counseling regarding odor concerns associated with aggregate operations near residential area
  • Assisted national consumer fireworks retailer expand presence in state
  • Member, Arizona Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Committee and advocate for legislative and regulatory adaptations to new and expanding businesses to facilitate growth and employment within Arizona

Cannabis

  • Provided zoning, land use, licensing and related regulatory compliance counsel associated with dispensary, cultivation and growing concerns under the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act, the Smart and Safe Arizona Act and the Adult Use Marijuana Program

Drones and UAS

  • Provided privacy counseling associated with operation of unmanned aerial systems
  • Collaborated with state legislators on the development of legislation impacting the use and operation of drones
  • Counseled clients in the evaluation of drone deployment programs for facility and project inspection

Previous Professional Experience

  • Gallagher & Kennedy, Phoenix, AZ (1992-1996)
  • Gould & Wilkie, New York, NY (1988-1990)

Professional Memberships and Activities

  • American Bar Association
    • Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, Board of Directors
    • Editorial Board, Natural Resources & Environment Magazine
  • Arizona Manufacturers Council, Member
  • Arizona Mining Association, Member
  • Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry
    • Public Affairs Committee
  • The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Member
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, Member
  • Defense Research Institute
    • Pacific Region Director
  • Valley Partnership
  • State Law Resources, Inc., Board of Directors, Past President
  • State Bar of Arizona, Environmental Section, Past Chair
  • Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Past President
  • Vanderbilt Law School National Council, Past Member
  • Air & Waste Management Association
    • Grand Canyon Section, Past President, Board of Directors
  • NAATBaat, Regulatory and Policy Committee Member

Community Involvement

  • Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, Board of Directors
  • Folds of Honor, Board of Directors
  • Human Services Campus, Board of Directors
  • UPWARD for Children & Families, Board of Directors, Treasurer
  • St. Joseph the Worker, Board of Directors
  • City of Phoenix
    • Former Zoning Adjustment Hearing Officer
    • Board of Adjustment, Past-Chairman
  • Arizona Celtic Bar Association, Founding Member and President
  • Irish Cultural & Learning Foundation, Board Member
  • Central Phoenix / East Valley Light Rail Transit Project, Citizen Member
  • Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Member
  • Former Valley Big Brother
  • City of Phoenix Bond Committee, Arts and Culture Subcommittee, Past Member
  • Marathon Runner – Chicago (2013, 2015, 2019); New York (2014); Boston (2017, 2019); Richmond (2016, 2017); Mesa (2020,2023); Dublin (2022,2023); Munich (2023); Tokyo (2024)

Representative Presentations and Publications