As the co-founder in his firm, Paul is a leading constitutional, labour and administrative law lawyer, arguing significant cases before the Supreme Court of Canada, the Courts of Ontario, and labour and administrative tribunals.
Paul was appointed by Associate Chief Justice Dennis O'Connor to act as lead commission counsel to the Commission of Inquiry into the Actions of Canadian Officials in Relation to Maher Arar. Previously, Paul acted as lead commission counsel in the Walkerton Inquiry. In this role, Paul was responsible for ensuring all necessary evidence was brought forward to determine the cause of the May, 2000 e coli water supply crisis.
More recently, Paul has been appointed by the Federal Minister of Justice to act as a Special Advocate in security certificate cases. In this regard, Paul acts as counsel representing the interests of persons alleged to be threats to the national security of Canada in top secret hearings before the Federal Court of Canada in Ottawa. Paul's role is to ensure that the top secret evidence relied upon by the government is reliable and that as much information as possible is released to the named person so that he is given an opportunity to defend against the allegations. Paul is presently acting in two security certificate cases which have been ongoing since February 2008.
Although Paul has been thoroughly engaged in these public interest roles since 2000, he has continued in his private practice representing his clients in important cases before the courts. For example, in the last few years he has argued many significant cases before the Supreme Court of Canada. These cases will all have a significant effect upon the development of the law in Canada.
In the education law field, Paul has been extensively involved in constitutional litigation over educational and denominational school rights. This includes cases such as the extension of full funding to Roman Catholic Separate Schools and defeating the Ontario Government's 1997 injunction application to force protesting teachers back to work under Bill 160.
As an advocate and advisor on legal and public policy issues, Paul has provided advice and representation to trade unions, professional organizations, and governments concerning law reform issues. In the area of constitutional law, Paul has argued many cases before the Supreme Court of Canada including cases in which the court recognized a constitutional right to bargain collectively and a constitutional right to strike. He has also argued many important administrative law and labour law cases before the Supreme Court of Canada.
In the area of International Law, Paul has been an invited expert at international conferences on labour-management relations in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico under NAFTA and the North American Agreement on Labour Cooperation (NAALC) as well as representing clients before the International Labour Organization. Because of his role as lead commission counsel to the Arar Inquiry, Paul has been asked to appear before American, British and European legislative committees.
Paul was awarded the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Law Society Medal for his contributions to social justice, equality and the rule of law in Canada.
Paul graduated with honours from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1970 and Harvard Law School in 1971.