A Career Built in the Courtroom
Paul was raised in Wynne, Arkansas, fondly known as "The City with a Smile" and he is proud of his connection to such a great City and to have been a Yellowjacket.
After graduating from high school, Paul attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, and graduated in 1984. He then went on to law school at the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville. Paul graduated with honors, in 1987, and was a member of the Arkansas Law Review.
Upon graduation, Paul returned to Wynee to practice law with his father, Robert M. "Bob" Ford from 1987 until 1993.
In 1993, Paul and his family relocated to Jonesboro, Arkansas where he practices today. Paul developed a strong civil and criminal law practice in his early years. He has defended multiple death penalty cases and was part of the original defense team for Jason Baldwin in what was and is one of the most celebrated trials in Arkansas, and America. Being a part of the West Memphis Three, which has been the subject of many books, movies and documentaries, is one of Paul's proudest achievements.
Paul has tried criminal cases all across Arkansas as well as Florida, Nebraska, Missouri and Tennessee.
In addition to developing a strong criminal defense practice, Paul also continued his hone his trade as a civlil lawyer. Paul is a graduate of the infamous Trial Lawyers College in Debois Wyoming, and served as a member of the F Warrior Board following his graduation.
Paul also was trained in what became known as the Reptile method and worked closely with Don Keenan, the founder. Paul taught and lectured other lawyers all across the country, including Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C. Nashville, Little Rock, and many others.
Paul has served as the President of the Craighead County Bar Association, a 20+ year member of the Board of Governors of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, and now serves as a Trustee of the Arkansas Bar Association and was recently awarded the distinguished Golden Gavel in 2024.
Paul is married to his lovely wife, Annie, and they have three children and six grandchildren. Paul is very active in the recovery ministries of northeast Arkansas, particularly John 3:16 Ministries and In His Wings Ministries.
Paul works to bring his unique experiences and education to work for his clients to not only maximize recovery in a financial sense, but to also work to bring healing on a personal level.
Law as a Tool for Accountability
Paul’s belief is simple:
Laws should be enforced to protect people—not protect power. When medical providers fail to act, when safety standards are ignored, when systems break down, he steps in. His work in suicide malpractice isn’t just legal—it’s personal.
Touched by Suicide, Driven by Purpose
Paul’s brother died by suicide. It was preventable. And it was that moment that changed the trajectory of his work. Today, he stands beside families who’ve endured similar loss—those who entrusted a hospital, jail, or mental health facility to protect their loved one, only to be met with silence and failure.
He doesn’t ask for sympathy. He asks for accountability.
And he takes that demand to court.
Recognition & Professional Credentials
Licensed to practice in all Arkansas state and federal courts
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Bar Association
Frequent speaker on trial tactics and strategies across the country
Graduate of the Spence Trial Lawyers College
In Paul’s Words
"There’s no such thing as an accident when someone dies under care. These are choices. Missed signs. Broken systems. Preventable tragedies. I don’t just build cases—I build pressure. So when the system fails, there’s nowhere left to hide."