Paul is originally from Klamath Falls, Oregon, and received his B.S. in Political Science from Oregon State University. Before law school, Paul served for eight years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer, completing two tours at sea before serving as an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy. He continues to serve in the Navy Reserve while attending the University of Oregon School of Law. During his first year of law school, Paul was a Frohnmayer Leadership Program Fellow and developed a particular interest in property and criminal law, as well as the role of state and local government in shaping communities.