Portrait of Paul J. Laurin

Paul J. Laurin

Principal

Paul J. Laurin helps businesses, lenders, and individuals navigate financially distressed situations and high-stakes disputes with clarity and control. His work centers on creditors’ rights, bankruptcy matters, and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on practical decision-making and outcomes that make business sense.

Grounded in litigation and shaped by deep experience in creditors’ rights and bankruptcy, Paul represents clients in state, federal, and bankruptcy courts across the country. He regularly handles disputes involving loan enforcement, insolvency, fraudulent transfers, and complex business transactions. Clients turn to him when matters are financially significant, fact-intensive, and adversarial—and when the margin for error is small.

Paul advises creditors and other stakeholders at every stage of the distress cycle. His work includes evaluating pre-bankruptcy options, guiding clients through Chapter 11 proceedings, and litigating adversary matters tied to restructuring efforts. He also counsels clients on workouts, restructurings, and assignments for the benefit of creditors, as well as provisional remedies such as receiverships, injunctions, and pre-judgment writs. Whether a dispute is resolved through negotiation or litigation, Paul approaches each matter with a focus on leverage, timing, and risk.

Over the course of his career, Paul has resolved disputes involving millions (and in some cases up to $1 billion) through litigation, settlement, and strategic negotiation. He is known for steady judgment in contentious matters and for helping clients make informed choices during stressful financial situations. His approach reflects an understanding of how courts evaluate conduct, documentation, and credibility when financial distress turns into litigation.

Paul also litigates appeals and complex commercial cases involving business torts and contested transactions. Clients value his ability to distill complicated financial and legal issues into clear strategies and to communicate effectively with courts, opposing counsel, and business decision-makers.

Beyond his practice, Paul is committed to professional leadership and service. He has served in leadership roles within legal and restructuring organizations and maintains active involvement in the professional community. Outside of work, Paul is an accomplished Masters and open-water swimming athlete and the father of two grown children.

    Education

    • University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (J.D.)
    • University of California Berkeley (B.A.)

    State Bar Admissions

    • California

    Court Admissions

    • United States District Court for the Central District of California
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of California

    Professional Affiliations

    • Provisors of Santa Monica 6 Group, executive committee member
    • TMA National- member of DEI committee
    • Financial Lawyers Conference

    Recognitions

    • LA Times Studio 2025 Visionary Award
    • University of California, San Francisco Law School Board of Governors, Past President

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.
  • Blog Posts
    Offit Kurman Represents 1Aardvark in Acquisition by CesiumAstro
    Offit Kurman is pleased to announce its representation of 1Aardvark, LLC, a Virginia-based company specializing in mission software, advanced algorithms, and systems engineering solutions supporting national defense programs, in its acquisition by CesiumAstro Inc., a global leader in advanced space communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. The transaction was announced on August 18, 2026. The acquisition brings together 1Aardvark's deep expertise in mission-critical software and engineering with CesiumAstro's pioneering capabilities in space communications and ISR technologies. According to CesiumAstro, the transaction enhances its ability to deliver autonomous and resilient space systems for demanding operational environments. Offit Kurman advised 1Aardvark throughout the transaction, providing strategic legal counsel on corporate, transactional, and related matters to support the successful completion of the acquisition. Those participating in the engagement included Ryan Alexander, Gary Brackett, Robin Gilden, Pavan Mehrotra, Jim Arico, Debbie Petito, and Scott Tippett. “This transaction represents a significant milestone for 1Aardvark and our team. We are deeply grateful to Ryan Alexander and the professionals at Offit Kurman for their outstanding guidance and steadfast support throughout the acquisition process,” said Ryan Kenward, President of 1Aardvark.  “Their insight, judgment, and dedication to achieving our objectives played a critical role in bringing this transaction to a successful close. We thank them for being trusted advisors every step of the way.” The acquisition underscores continued investment and consolidation within the aerospace, defense technology, and national security sectors, where software-driven capabilities and resilient space infrastructure remain increasingly important. About 1Aardvark 1Aardvark is a Virginia-based engineering and technology company specializing in mission software, algorithms, and systems engineering solutions supporting national defense missions.