USA
Practice Areas
EXPERTISE IN LAW & GOVERNMENT
Paul represents clients in white-collar defense, government investigations, and complex litigation, with expertise in anti-bribery and the Foreign Corruption Practices Act (FCPA), securities enforcement, national security matters and international financial disputes. He assists with lobbying, public policy, and legal challenges faced by sovereign governments and investors. Paul also advises Boards of Directors and Committees on Corporate Governance matters and has himself served on several Advisory Boards and Committees.
PRACTICE AREAS OF EXPERTISE
White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
Litigation & Trial Defense
Anti-Bribery & Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
National Security
Complex Commercial Litigation
Congressional Investigations
Export Controls & Trade Sanctions Compliance
Defense & Classified Contracts ComplianceCybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure Protection
Government Contractors
Security Clearance
Securities Enforcement, Government Investigations & Litigation
Securities Enforcement, Government Investigations & Litigation
Health Care Litigation & Investigations
Inspector General Investigations
Corporate Governance & Board Membership
Lobbying & Public Policy
Sovereign Governments
World Bank & International Financial Institutions
Career
Paul W. Butler is a nationally recognized leader in white-collar defense, government investigations, regulatory enforcement, national security law, and Congressional investigations. With decades of experience at the highest levels of law and government, Paul brings unparalleled insight to clients navigating high-stakes legal and compliance challenges.
As the founder of Butler Legal Strategies, Paul advises corporations, executives, and global organizations facing complex regulatory scrutiny and criminal enforcement risk. His expertise spans the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), securities laws, export controls and sanctions, national security matters, and cross-border investigations. Known for his strategic counsel and steady presence in crisis, he has a proven track record of guiding clients through legal uncertainty with precision and discretion.
Prior to founding his own firm, Paul spent more than 20 years as a litigation partner at Akin Gump, where he led the Washington, D.C. Litigation Section. Drawing on his deep knowledge of enforcement strategy and government operations, he represented multinational clients in jurisdictions with the highest levels of compliance risk. His achievements have earned national recognition, including being named Litigator of the Week by The American Lawyer for securing the dismissal of a multi-count federal indictment in a high-profile fraud and money laundering case.
Earlier in his career, Paul served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York and later as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense. In these roles, he was at the epicenter of major national security and legal crises, including his work as trial prosecutor in United States v. Usama Bin Laden, et al., the first indictment of Bin Laden and al Qaeda for the East Africa embassy bombings. His deep understanding of how the DOJ, FBI, and intelligence agencies operate has made him a trusted advisor in matters involving international cooperation, complex investigations, and cross-border enforcement.
In addition to his legal practice, Paul is a frequent speaker on emerging enforcement trends, corporate governance, and national security strategy. He has served on numerous boards and advisory committees and remains actively engaged in thought leadership at the intersection of law, policy, and global risk.
Clients
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
Fraud Charges Dismissed Against Maryland Attorney:
Paul Butler successfully secured the dismissal of an 11-count fraud indictment against a Maryland attorney after a four-year legal battle. This case was widely reported and praised as a significant legal victory.
- The ruling prevented wrongful prosecution, reinforcing Paul’s reputation as a premier white-collar defense attorney.
- Recognized as a Litigator of the Week by The American Lawyer for this achievement.
- The Washington Post featured the case, underscoring its impact on prosecutorial accountability.
Major Litigation Victory in Kazakhstan Dispute:
- Paul Butler played a key role in a high-stakes international litigation case, securing a decisive victory in the New York Supreme Court.
- Successfully defended against a lawsuit filed by the Republic of Kazakhstan, leading to the dismissal of claims deemed an unlawful attack on an arbitration award.
Criminal Export Violations & Obstructed Justice Charges Dropped:
- Paul Butler successfully represented a CEO of a Chinese telecom company against allegations that he had violated export laws, obstructed justice and destroyed documents. Negotiated a safe-passage agreement for the CEO so that he could be interviewed in the United States. The government did not pursue criminal charges.
Government/Contracts Bribery Charges Dropped by DOJ, SEC Settlement:
- Counseling a multinational accused of bribery to obtain a major contract with the government of Azerbaijan. The client was in the midst of an FCPA investigation in China when the conduct was discovered. Conducted a swift and thorough internal investigation and self-reported to the DOJ and SEC. The DOJ elected not to bring criminal charges and a settlement was reached with the SEC.
Professional Memberships
Bar Admissions:
- District of Columbia
- New York
- United States Supreme Court
- Various Federal Courts
Corporate Governance and Board Membership:
Paul has advised the Boards of Directors of major Fortune 500 companies including Audit Committees and Special Committees of the Board. He has also served on various Boards and Committees including:
- Member of the Akin firmwide Audit Committee
- SOS International Advisory Board
- Pacific Architects and Engineers Advisory Board
- Advisory Board to the Combatant Commander for United States Southern Command and European Command
- United States Department of Commerce Advisory Board on Export Controls
- Harvard Law School Executive Education Partner Leadership Program
- Member of the Council on Foreign Relations
- Member the Heritage Foundation National Security Law Working Group
Personal
Guest Lecturer:
- U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General School
- George Washington University School of Law
- University of Pennsylvania School of Law
Awards
United States Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award
Paul has been honored with the highest award presented to a civilian by the Department of Defense.
United States Department of Justice-Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award
Paul has been honored with this award for the successful prosecution of al Qaeda terrorists’ attacks on the U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania including 224 counts of murder.
Central Intelligence Agency Seal Medallion Award
Paul has been honored with the highest award presented to non-Agency personnel for contribution to the Agency’s intelligence efforts.
Education
J.D., St. John’s University School of Law, Law Review, 1988
M.A., The School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University, 1997
Harvard Law School, Executive Education – Partner Leadership Program, 2017
M.A./B.A., University at Albany, State University of New York, 1984
