Paul E. Smith

Paul E. Smith has extensive experience working on labor law issues; major restructurings; and wage-and-hour, disability, discrimination, and harassment matters. His work has included leading a cross-border investigation of workplace misconduct, advising clients on union-organizing campaigns, defending performance review systems, responding to whistleblower claims under Sarbanes-Oxley, and litigating apprenticeship program compliance.

Paul has defended clients against discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims in federal and state courts, emphasizing early resolution through dispositive motions. He has also frequently served as lead counsel in both private- and public-sector labor arbitrations and in unfair labor practice charges before the National Labor Relations Board and state agencies. 

In addition to Paul's robust employment law practice, he is a seasoned litigator. He has served as lead lawyer on lawsuits in both state and federal courts, including four defense-verdict trials.

Prior to his work at Perkins Coie, Paul served as the chief employment lawyer at a global, publicly traded manufacturing company and later as vice president of human resources for the company's largest business segment. During his time as in-house counsel, Paul managed employment, immigration, health, safety, and environmental law matters and oversaw the employment law aspects of numerous acquisitions and divestitures of complex global businesses. He led investigations into highly sensitive and critical matters, including allegations of misconduct against senior executives and fatal workplace accidents.

Paul also develops and delivers training to human resources professionals and senior management across a range of employment law topics.