THE PAUL FIRM
We don’t just understand the law; We understand people.
The law is a tool—but it's never the only one. Our firm was built on the belief that exceptional advocacy requires more than legal expertise. It demands strategic thinking, investigative rigor, business acumen and emotional intelligence working in concert.
We've spent decades in courtrooms, boardrooms and crisis rooms. We know how to read a case, read a room and read what's really at stake. Whether litigating a high-profile case, leading a sensitive internal investigation or counseling an executive through an impossible decision, we bring the full weight of our experience, and our humanity, to every engagement. Because you deserve more than just legal advice — you deserve strategic advocacy to protect what matters most.
Our Founder
Rena Paul, Esq. is a former federal and state sex crimes prosecutor with two decades of courtroom experience. She has tried dozens of cases to verdict and argued appeals in state and federal court. A nationally recognized voice on sexual misconduct, child safety and trauma-informed justice, Rena has built a career at the intersection of law, psychology and strategy. A licensed private investigator, Rena has led complex investigations across corporate, government, educational and faith-based settings, applying a nuanced understanding of human behavior to uncover truth and resolve sensitive matters.
Known for her sharp analysis and human-centered approach, Rena blends the instincts of a seasoned trial lawyer with the strategic clarity of a crisis advisor. She is widely regarded for her ability to navigate sensitive, high-stakes litigation, investigation and crisis response with equal parts rigor, empathy and discretion. She has advised national and global organizations, public figures, executives, students, youth-serving and faith-based institutions on #MeToo, power-based misconduct, child safety and complex reputational matters. Her work across these diverse contexts has shaped a rare, 360-degree understanding of risk, resilience and resolution, insight she brings to every client and case.
Rena began her career in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, serving in the Sex Crimes Unit, before becoming a federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, where she led complex cases involving child exploitation, gang violence and sex trafficking. She was one of the first to champion prosecutor well-being in the criminal justice process.
After government service, Rena created one of the first trauma-informed law firms, and maintains a thriving practice representing survivors, executives and organizations in civil, criminal and reputational matters at The Paul Firm. A serial founder and legal entrepreneur, she has built multiple successful ventures that reimagine how legal services are delivered—combining innovation, strategy and humanity to meet the modern realities of clients and fellow lawyers. Rena’s leadership and entrepreneurial vision have earned national recognition as a Tory Burch Fellow (2022) and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Fellow (2025).
Rena’s perspective, commentary and writing have been featured by Showtime, Law360, Law&Crime Network and The New York Law Journal. She co-authored the nation’s first trauma-informed and prosecutor well-being curriculum for the Institute for Innovation in Prosecution and has trained professionals nationally on trauma-informed lawyering and attorney well-being.
She has taught Trial Advocacy and Learning From Practice, a seminar on lawyering, ethics and well-being, at Brooklyn Law School, led mindfulness and well-being programs for the New York City and State Bar Associations, and emceed the Institute for Well-Being in Law’s inaugural conference. Rena is a founding member of Beyond #MeToo: A Working Group on Corporate Governance, Compliance and Risk and TIX IRL: A Collective of Title IX Experts Living the Regulations.
Rena received her J.D. cum laude from Brooklyn Law School and her B.A. from Emory University.
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The Paul Firm is proud to work to foster community and support a more mindful industry.