Paul practices in the areas of significant personal injury, wrongful death, ethics and professional malpractice. He previously served as an Adjunct Professor of Medical and Research Ethics at Midwestern University and the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine where he instructed health care providers and graduate students in the medical field. Additionally, he authored the manual and taught attorneys and forensic experts in the Certified Forensic Consultant program with the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute. Paul is a nationally recognized expert and speaker in the area of bioethics and legal ethics.
He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1985 (Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction), where he was admitted to the academic honorary society Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from California Western School of Law in 1989 (Juris Doctorate Cum Laude). He served as an editor of the California Western Law Review-International Law Journal and was the chief editor of the California Western Directory. He received a post-doctoral master’s degree in bioethics in 2004 (Master of Arts in Bioethics), where he graduated with the Outstanding Achievement Award from the College of Health Sciences at Midwestern University and Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Paul received a doctorate in philosophy involving business, legal and medical ethics at LaCrosse University (2006).
Paul was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona in 1989, the State Bar of Colorado in 1992, the District of Columbia and the Federal Bar in 2004. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Arizona, the United States District Court of Arizona, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He has served on various Boards for the Arizona Supreme Court including the Board of Legal Document Preparers and was recently appointed by Chief Justice Bales to the Legal Services Task Force. Additionally, Paul has been an Attorney Panel Member of the Arizona Disciplinary Panel since its formation in 2011 and has served as a Disciplinary Settlement Conference Officer since 2016. Paul has also served on the Arizona State Bar Fee Arbitration Committee since 2012.
Paul is rated AV Preeminent (the highest rating) by the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and is rated Superb 10.0/10.0 (the highest rating) by AVVO. He was first named as a Superlawyer in 2007 and Best Lawyers in America in 2016.
Paul is a Board Certified Pre-Trial and Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy/National Board of Legal Specialty Certification and is Board Certified by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization in the area of Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. Paul is also an Associate with the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Honors & Accolades
National Trial Lawyers Top 25 Brain Injury Attorneys, 2020
North Valley Top Lawyer, 2020
National Trial Lawyers Top 25 Medical Malpractice Lawyers, 2019
AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
AVVO, Highest Distinction of Superb 10.0 Attorney Rating
Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2020
Super Lawyers, Top 50 Arizona Attorneys, 2020
Super Lawyers, 2007, 2010-2020
Phoenix Magazine, Top Attorney's in Arizona, 2010 and 2013-2018
National Trial Lawyers Association, Top 100 Arizona Trial Lawyers, 2011-2019
American Academy of Trial Attorneys Premier 100 Civil Trial Attorneys, 2015
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, 10 Best Attorneys in Arizona, 2014
Arizona Magazine, Top Attorney's in Arizona, 2010-2012
North Valley Magazine, The Valley's Top Lawyers 2012
Arizona's Finest Lawyers, 2010-2012
Premiere 100 Civil Trial Lawyers by the National Academy of Jurisprudence, 2016
Premiere 100 Trial Lawyers by the American Academy of Trial Attorneys, 2015
The American Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Arizona Trial Lawyers, 2010
Special Assistant to the Arizona Attorney General for the State of Arizona, 1997-2000
Who's Who in America, 2001
Who's Who of Professionals, 1996
Who's Who in American Universities, 1985
Distinguished Fraternity Members of America, 1985
Phi Beta Kappa, 1985
Teaching Positions
Previously served as an Adjunct Professor at Midwestern University and Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
Instructor with the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute
Publications & Media
Media
2019: Short Informational and PromotionL Videos
•Burg Simpson We Are Here To Help
“Social Media Use by Attorneys and Jurors” for National Business Institute [NBI], February 28, 2020
“Ethical Issues at Trial” for National Business Institute [NBI], February 28, 2020
“Personal Injury Settlements” for National Business Institute [NBI], October 18, 2019
“Ethical Considerations for the Plaintiff’s Attorney in Personal Injury Cases” for National Business Institute [NBI], October 18, 2019
Friedman, Paul. If You Have Been Seriously Injured in a Crash with a Commercial Vehicle. www.burgsimpson.com, October 8, 2019
Friedman, Paul. Motorcycle Safety and Sharing the Road. www.burgsimpson.com, September 19, 2019
“Ethical Considerations in Medical Malpractice Cases” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 22, 2019
“Conducting Discovery & Doctor Depositions” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 22, 2019
“Ethical Considerations in Trial” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 8, 2019
“Getting the Best Out of Witness Examinations” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 8, 2019
“Court Rules & Updates” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 8, 2019
“Cross-Examination and Redirect - Focus on Experts and Evidence” for National Business Institute [NBI], 2018
“Pain and Suffering Damages: Legal Ethics” for National Business Institute [NBI], 2018
“Social Media Use and other Complex Jury Issues” for National Business Institute [NBI], 2018
“Calculating Brain Injury Damages” for National Business Institute [NBI], 2017
“Ethical Considerations for Personal Injury Attorneys” for National Business Institute, 2017
Certified Forensic Consultant Body of Knowledge, CRC Press copyright 2016
“An Expert’s Honor Is Not An Oxymoron”, The Forensic Examiner, 2014
“A New Professionalism for Arizona Attorneys: The Elimination of ‘Zealous’ Representation with the Foundation of Civility and Fairness”, Phoenix Law Review (2013, Vol. 1:58).
“There is No Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Crisis”, Desert Lawyers News, 2011
“Medical Malpractice: A View From The Trenches” copyright 2008
“Win-At-All-Cost Litigation: States Reconsider the Damage Done by ‘Zealous’ Representation”, Lawyers USA, Issue 2008 LUSA 401
“The Model Rules for Corporate Counsel Ethics”, 2008
“The Ethics of Witness Preparation”, Lawyers USA, 2008 LUSA 93
“Should The Many Suffer For The Bad Few?” EDUKIDS, 2006
“Lessons for Life” EDUKIDS, 2006
“Morality And Ethics: An Analysis of Medical, Legal And Business Ethics From A Casuist Perspective” copyright 2006
“The Etiology of Bioethics” copyright 2006
“Legal and Ethical Issues in Behavioral Health” copyright 2006 including PowerPoint Presentation, 2006
Broker Policies Manual” for Attorneys Realty, L.L.C.” copyright 2006
“Medical Ethics and Legal Issues Regarding End Of Life Concerns” copyright 2006 including PowerPoint Presentation
“Ethical Issues in Tort Reform and Medical Malpractice” copyright 2005 including PowerPoint Presentation
Lectures & Seminars
“Jury Trials 101” for the National Business Institute [NBI], February 28, 2020
“Jury Selection” Webinar for National Business Institute [NBI], December 27, 2019
“Personal Injury from Start to Finish” for the National Business Institute [NBI], October 18, 2019
“Medical Malpractice from Start to Finish” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 22,2019
Civil Trial from Start to Finish” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 8, 2019
Webinar on Jury Selection for National Business Institute [NBI], December 14, 2018.
Advanced Trial Tactics” for National Business Institute [NBI], May 11, 2018.
Personal Injury Damages in Personal Injury” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 23, 2018.
“Voire Dire and Jury Selection” for National Business Institute [NBI], February 23, 2018.
“Traumatic Brain Injury Cases: Doctor and Attorney Perspectives” for National Business Institute [NBI], March 31, 2017.
Certified Forensic Consultant Course for the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute at the National Floor Safety Institute, May 20, 2016.
Certified Forensic Consultant Course for the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, December 4, 2015.
Certified Forensic Consultant Course including Mock Trial for the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute, August 8, 2015.
How to Take Witness Statements and How to Testify as an Expert” for the Southwest Association of Technical Accident Investigators, Inc., March 15, 2014.
“Professionalism: Staying Off of the State Bar’s Radar Screen” for the West Valley Bar, September 20, 2010.
“Special Topics in Ethics -Thesis Projects” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, March 2010 - June 2010.
“Physical Medicine and Psychological Therapy Ethics” at the Fronske Health Center at Northern Arizona University, November 18, 2009.
“Religion & Ethics” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, November 2009 - February 2010.
“Contemporary Bioethics in the Media” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, June 2009 - August 2009.
“Medical Malpractice: A View From The Trenches” at Midwestern University, October 14, 2008.
“Medicine and the Law” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, August 2008 - November 2008.
“Proper Techniques for Expert or Provider Testimony” to the Arizona State University Graduate School of Nursing, April 29, 2008.
“Evolving Legal Issues for 2008” to the Corporate Counsel Forum, April 16, 2008.
“How to Prevent Bad Medicine” to the Arizona State University Downtown Graduate School of Nursing, October 30, 2007.
“Medical Ethics and the Law” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, August 2007 - November 2007.
“Rules and Regulations for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners” to the Arizona State University Graduate School of Nursing, December 5, 2006.
“The Etiology of Bioethics” to Glendale Community College Nursing Program, June 14, 2006.
“Legal and Ethical Issues in Behavioral Health” to the Employee Assistance Professionals Association, May 5, 2006.
“Bioethics and the Law” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, November 2005-February 2006.
“Interpretation of the Law Regarding Medical Issues” to the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, October 29, 2005.
“Contemporary Readings in Bioethics” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, June 2005 - August 2005.
“Foundations of Bioethics” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, April 25, 2005.
“Ethical Issues of Tort Reform and Medical Malpractice” to the Western States Osteopathic Conference, April 16, 2005.
“Research Ethics” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, February 2004 - May 2004.
“Medical Ethics and the Law” at Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, December 2003-February 2004.
“Bioethics & How To Keep Your Medical/Psychological Practice Out of Court” for a Symposium of National Mental Healthcare Providers, September 14, 2001.
“Ethical Issues for Civil Trial Attorneys” by the State Bar of Arizona, April 24, 1998.
