Michael A. Paul

Partner

Michael knows anything can happen on a construction site, including trespassing, fires, dismemberment, and death, and for almost two decades, he’s helped construction clients prepare for and respond to the unexpected.

The chair of the firm’s Tort Practice Group and the managing partner of the Denver office, Michael began his career in construction litigation representing framers, roofers, plumbers, and other subcontractors before growing his practice to include design professionals. Today, Michael primarily represents general contractors and developers, who are typically at the heart of any construction-related lawsuit. His previous experience working with subcontractors and design professionals taught him the most and least effective defense strategies used within the industry, and this perspective enables him to find cost-effective and satisfactory resolutions for his clients.

He understands no two construction cases are the same, and his experience includes handling product liability, asbestos, professional liability, personal injury, and wrongful death cases throughout the country. Michael also counsels clients on the front end of construction projects, advising on contract drafting and identifying and preventing potential problems that could lead to litigation down the road.

Credentials

Education

University of Iowa College of Law (J.D., 2003)

University of Iowa (B.A., 2000)

Bar admissions

  • Colorado
  • Iowa
  • Nebraska

Court admissions

  • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Affiliations and memberships

  • Colorado Bar Foundation- Fellow
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance — premium member
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • Colorado Youth for a Change, Board of Directors

Distinctions

  • Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America (CLSA)
  • Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent in Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®
    • Construction (2020 – present)
  • Best Lawyers®
    • Construction Law (2023-present)
  • The American Registry
    • Top Attorneys in Colorado (2023-present)

News
  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • March 21, 2025

    Colorado Super Lawyers recognizes three Dinsmore attorneys on 2025 list

  • January 1, 2025

    Dinsmore Announces 16 Partner Promotions, New Board Members and Department Leaders

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • March 1, 2024

    Colorado Super Lawyers Recognizes Three Dinsmore Attorneys on 2024 List

  • August 17, 2023

    200+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”

  • March 3, 2023

    Colorado Super Lawyers Recognizes Three Dinsmore Attorneys on 2023 List

  • August 18, 2022

    2023 Best Lawyers® List Recognizes 190 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys

  • July 25, 2022

    Denver Office Managing Partner Michael Paul Named Fellow of Construction Lawyers Society of America

  • March 4, 2022

    2 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys Named to Denver Super Lawyers, Rising Star Lists