Paul J. McGoldrick
For each of the last eight years, Paul McGoldrick has been listed among Super Lawyers' "Top 50 Arizona" attorneys.
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Paul McGoldrick's extensive trial experience, evidenced by his election as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, provides a solid foundation for effectiveness in litigating and mediating a wide variety of civil disputes.
Paul McGoldrick is a Best Lawyers in America honoree and has been a Super Lawyers selectee every year since 2007, a distinction limited to the top 5% of Arizona lawyers. For each of the last eight years (2017-2024) he has been listed among Super Lawyers' "Top 50" attorneys.
Paul co-chairs the firm’s litigation practice group with Tom Shorall. A Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation, he focuses his litigation practice on personal injury cases and has experience as lead counsel in complex business disputes. He routinely represents clients in nearly every locale of Arizona and has represented both plaintiffs and defendants, both in tort cases and in the context of commercial and professional liability suits.
Paul has been elected as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) and is a former State Chair. Also, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) has elected Paul an Associate, and he is a former Phoenix Chapter President. Both organizations require outstanding trial practice and peer review.
In addition, Paul has served as a mediator or arbitrator in over 4,000 cases, helping to provide effective alternative dispute solutions to other attorneys and their clients. Paul draws upon his broad experience as a trial lawyer in helping to reach resolutions to lawsuits short of more expensive jury trials. He is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. Phoenix Magazine recognized Paul as a Top Lawyer in 2022 and 2023 in the category of Arbitration and Mediation.
Before entering private practice in Phoenix, Paul was a law clerk to the Honorable Frank X. Gordon, then Vice Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Arizona.
adr calendar
practice areas
Professional Liability Litigation
honors and awards
A Top Lawyer, Phoenix Magazine, Arbitration and Mediation (2022-2023), Professional Malpractice (2024)
The Best Lawyers in America®: Lawyer of the Year (Phoenix) for Personal Injury Litigation - Defense (2023, 2025)
The Best Lawyers in America®: Insurance Law (2017-present), Insurance Litigation (2017-present), Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2018-present)
Certified Specialist, Injury & Wrongful Death Litigation (Arizona Board of Legal Specialization)
Super Lawyers, 2007-present; "Top 50" Arizona Attorneys, 2017-2024
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
"Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona," AzBusiness Magazine, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
"Az Business Leaders" (ADR), Az Business Magazine, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
professional activities
American College of Trial Lawyers: Fellow; State Chair, 2020-2021
American Board of Trial Advocates: Associate; President, Phoenix Chapter, 2015
American Bar Association
Defense Research Institute
State Bar of Arizona
Colorado Bar Association
State Bar of Arizona: Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Advisory Commission, 2018-2024
Judge Pro Tem, Maricopa County Superior Court, 2002-2015
recent articles
"Arbitration Is the New Trial," Arizona Attorney Magazine, State Bar of Arizona, November 2020
bar and court admissions
State of Arizona, 1985
State of Colorado, 1986 (Inactive)
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1986
published decisions
Navajo Transportation, Inc. v. Schroeder, No. SC-CV-44-06 (Nav. Sup. Ct. Apr. 30, 2007)
Johnson v. Pointe Community Ass’n, Inc., 205 Ariz. 485, 73 P.3d 616 (App. 2003) on remand 2004 WL 3248435 (Ariz. Super. 2004)
McGrath v. Scott, 250 F. Supp.2d 1218 (D. Ariz. 2003)
Wester v. Crown Controls Corp., 974 F. Supp. 1284 (D. Ariz. 1996)
Shoen v. Shoen, 933 F. Supp. 871 (D. Ariz. 1996)
Hayes v. Continental Ins. Co., 178 Ariz. 264, 872 P.2d 668 (1994)
Martinez v. Ind. Com’n of Ariz., 168 Ariz. 307, 812 P.2d 1125 (App. 1991)
Maricopa County v. Federal Ins. Co., 157 Ariz. 308, 757 P.2d 112 (App. 1988)
education
J.D., University of Arizona College of Law, 1985
B.S., cum laude, Arizona State University, 1980