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The Paul Firm Founder

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Rena Paul, Esq.

Rena Paul, Esq. is a former federal and state sex crimes prosecutor with two decades of courtroom experience. She has tried dozens of trials 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. As 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, schools, universities, camps 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 and 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.

MEDIA

RECOGNITIONS

  • Tory Burch 2022 Fellow

  • Federal Drug Agents Foundation True American Hero Award

  • Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an AUSA

  • Department of Justice Director’s Award for Superior Performance by a Litigative Team

ORGANIZATIONS

  • Founding Member, Title IX Working Group

  • New York City Bar Mindfulness in the Law Committee

Word of Mouth.

What People Are Saying

— Nico, Founder, BodyWerk

As I’ve built my business, Rena has been an invaluable resource across so many dimensions — from money strategy and business development to navigating complex decisions with confidence. What sets her apart is not just her deep expertise, but her ability to explain things clearly and compassionately. She gets the human side of building something from the ground up. As outside counsel for my business, she doesn’t just offer legal advice, she brings a strategic mindset that’s grounded in real-world experience. She helps me see the bigger picture while also making sure the details are right. I truly trust her guidance and consider her an essential part of my team.

— Simmy, Founder, Clock Tower Innovation

I hired Rena to help launch my creative consulting business, and from the start, it was clear I had made a wise choice. In addition to contract review and negotiation, Rena has helped me think and plan more broadly, strategizing every corner of my company and setting me up for sustained success. Rena is collaborative, efficient, kind, and always thinking several moves ahead. I feel very fortunate to be working with Rena; my expectations were high, and somehow, she exceeded them.

— Alicyn, Law Firm Founder

Rena is the rare combination of brilliant attorney and business-savvy pragmatist. She was my first call as I considered making the leap to launching my own law practice, and she effortlessly answered my practical questions from her firsthand, on-the-ground experience building a law firm and a business. She is a visionary, genuinely understands how to build a brand, and is a phenomenal community-builder.

— Chris, Attorney

I contacted Rena for guidance while preparing to launch my own practice – and this was the best decision I’ve made during this process. Rena has the experience to answer questions that inevitably arise when you’re trying to start a business (and she’ll even address a few more you didn’t think to ask). She is smart and caring, and she puts tremendous energy and focus into any issue you raise. She gave me invaluable advice on everything from logistics (basics like company formation, accounting, & insurance) to bigger picture issues (e.g., establishing an online presence, strategic pricing considerations). She also has this unique network of vetted colleagues to whom she can refer clients for subjects that require more expertise. I highly recommend Rena’s services and cannot say enough great things about her as a professional and as a human being.

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • New York

  • Southern District of New York