Paul F. Laughlin

Paul is a member of the Health Care Department and serves as co-chair of the Behavioral Health Risk and Liability Practice Group. He began his career as a prosecutor but for the past 25 years has focused his professional efforts on matters involving medical/professional liability, corporate/commercial matters, construction/real estate, and civil rights litigation. He is also formally trained in handling dispute resolution processes, including mediation and arbitration.

An active trial attorney, Paul has tried in excess of 130 cases to a jury verdict. He has successfully defended countless professional liability matters, including medical and legal malpractice cases. He represents physicians, physician groups, nurses, psychiatrists, hospitals, long-term care facilities and veterinarians in medical liability matters. In addition, he counsels attorneys, law firms and real estate agents in professional liability actions as well as professional licensing prosecutions. Paul also represents builders and contractors in construction cases, as well as government agencies in civil rights cases.

Paul trained as a mediator at Pepperdine University’s Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution. He serves as a neutral arbitrator in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, and is certified to serve as an arbitrator in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Paul brings a unique perspective to the dispute resolution process, drawing from his background and extensive experience as a trial attorney. He places a priority on facilitating communication and promoting a positive negotiation process for all involved. Known for his empathy and integrity, Paul believes that an effective mediator not only develops a knowledge of the unique facts and issues of each case, but also takes the time to get to know the parties involved in each negotiation to determine their needs and keep the focus on the key issues.   

Paul received his undergraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame and his juris doctor from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was a business editor of The American Criminal Law Review. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office where, as a member of the Homicide Unit, he was entrusted with significant cases including numerous capital murder prosecutions. Paul was also selected to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney to assist in the coordination of a joint federal and local arson task force that culminated in the successful investigation and prosecution of the Quaker Lace factory arson, which was subsequently selected as a model for arson investigations and prosecutions nationwide.