Professional Biography
Image of Paul Eckstein

Paul F. Eckstein Partner

  • Phoenix

    D +1.602.351.8222

    F +1.602.648.7122

    Phoenix

    2901 N. Central Avenue, Suite 2000

    Phoenix, AZ 85012-2788

    +1.602.351.8222

    PEckstein@perkinscoie.com

loader

Overview

Paul Eckstein's practice is focused on civil litigation (including appellate matters) involving commercial, legal malpractice, constitutional, Indian law and political law issues.  He also frequently serves as a mediator and arbitrator. He also teaches Constitutional Law at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. 

Ranked by Chambers USA 21 Years in a Row

Litigation

Professional Recognition

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona (Phoenix Division), “Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year,” 2022
  • Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyers" for Commercial Litigation, 2003 – 2023
  • Ranked by Chambers USA as a "Senior Statespeople," 2021 – 2023
  • State Bar of Arizona “Member of the Year,” 2018
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Appellate Practice; Arbitration; Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law; Gaming Law; Litigation - Antitrust; Litigation - First Amendment; Litigation - Intellectual Property; Media Law; Mediation; Native American Law, 1983 – 2024; Administrative / Regulatory Law; Government Relations Practice, 2023 – 2024
  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine as a "Southwest Super Lawyers,"  2007 – 2023
  • Selected by Southwest Super Lawyers as one of the "Top 50 in Arizona," 2007 – 2015
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University Gold ‘n Gavel Award, 2016
  • Named the Best Lawyers’ Phoenix "Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year," 2012, 2014; "Phoenix Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year," 2010, 2013
  • Listed in Benchmark Litigation’s Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys as a "Local Litigation Star" in Antitrust and Commercial Litigation
  • Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals "John P. Frank Award," 2011
  • Arizona Advocacy Network "Defender of Democracy Award," 2011
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2010  
  • Maricopa County Bar of Association "Hall of Fame," 2009
  • Listed in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, 2005 - 2009
  • "Burton Award for Legal Writing," 2008
  • American Jewish Committee "Judge Learned Hand Award," 2007
  • Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education "Walter E. Craig Distinguished Service Award," 2004
  • Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest "Public Interest Law Award," 1989
  • "Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award," 1986
  • "Arizona Civil Liberties Union Libertarian of the Year Award," 1985
  • "Arizona Press Club Distinguished Service Award," 1984
  • Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell 
    (AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)

Professional Leadership

  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow
  • American Law Institute, Member, 2020
  • Arizona Town Hall, Member, Board of Directors, 2002 – 2006
  • The Morrison Institute for Public Policy, Member, Board of Advisors, 2001 – 2005
  • National Board of Directors, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Member, 2000 – present
  • Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Chair, 1996 – 1997; Board of Directors, 1983 – 2005
  • Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, Lawyer Representative, 2000 – 2002
  • Rhodes Scholarships, Arizona Selection Committee, Chair, 1989 – 1995; Member 1998 - 2002; Region VIII Selection Committee, Chair, 1996 – 1997
  • Pomona College, Board of Trustees, 1983 – 2014, 2020 – present; Emeritus Board Member, 2014 – 2020; Chair, Presidential Search Committee, 1990 – 1991 and 2002 – 2003
  • Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, Board of Directors, 1974 – 1983; President, 1980 – 1982

Related Employment

  • Pomona College, Politics Department
    • (Free Expression), Senior Seminar, 1991
    • (The Fiction of American Politics), Senior Seminar, 1997
  • Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University
    • (Professional Responsibility), 1996
    • (Constitutional Law I), 2016 – 2020

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Arizona
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

  • Harvard Law School, LL.B., 1965
  • Pomona College, B.A., cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1962