PAUL W. JONES
JONESP10@MSU.EDU
EDUCATION University of Michigan, College of Literature, Science & Arts, Ann Arbor, MI
Bachelor of Arts, History & English, 1981; chosen as top 80 campus leaders; Residential
Advisor; The Friars, manager; Men's Glee Club, publicity officer, records manager
American University, Washington College of Law, Washington, DC
Juris Doctor, 1985; Student Bar Rep, 2 years; Honor Code Committee
United States Naval War College, Newport, RI
Graduate, Command and Staff Program, College of Continuing Education, 1999
EXPERIENCE Federal Administrative Law Judge, 2008-present
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Hear and decide appeals for the Office of Disability Adjudication & Review.
Professor of Law, Adjunct, 1998-present
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan
Teach administrative law (and formerly taught civil trial practice for 10 years) to
upper level law students; trial process lecturer, international law symposium panelist;
moot court judge.
Assistant Attorney General, 2000-08
STATE OF MICHIGAN, Department of the Attorney General, Lansing, Michigan
Counsel to five state health boards and prosecuting health professionals for violations
of the Public Health Code; one of 10 state attorneys responsible for investigating,
pleading, settling, litigating, and appealing licensure cases.
Civil Trial Lawyer/Litigation Managing Attorney, 1992-00
AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Lansing, Michigan
Litigator and office manager defending tort cases; including research, pleading,
discovery, motions, negotiation, mediation, arbitration, trial and appeals in 9 mid-
Michigan counties. Averaged 85 files. Seven solo jury trials; six victories.
Manage 1,000 lawsuits with millions of dollars in exposure in state and federal
jurisdictions, resolve coverage questions, authorize declaratory actions, retain
counsel, steer discovery, negotiate settlements and direct trial and appeal issues.
Civil Trial Lawyer, 1989-92
BELTZ & ASSOCIATES, Flint, Michigan
Client interview, research, plead, discover, move, mediate, negotiate, try and appeal.
Second-chaired trials in $1,000,000 minor death and $650,000 verdicts.
MILITARY Captain, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Navy
Appellate Counsel, NAMARA Defense [08-present], Washington, DC
Represent court-martialed sailors and marines in federal appellate courts.
Judge, Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals [07-08], Washington, DC
Adjudicate appeals brought by court-martialed sailors and marines.
Commanding Officer, NAMARA 116 [05-07], Washington, DC
Supervise/manage 10 attorneys and 3 staff representing the United States in federal
appellate courts.
Commanding/Executive Officer & Counsel, NAVJAG 116 [91-05], Washington, DC
Supervise/manage 6 attorneys and 3 staff representing the United States in federal
appellate courts.
Deputy Director, Appellate Government, OJAG Code 46, Washington, DC, Feb–Jul 2002
Recalled to supervise/manage 32 appellate attorneys and 8 staff representing the
United States in federal appellate courts. Argued case before CAAF.
Special Assistant United States Attorney, Puerto Rico, 2001-02
Prosecuted 35 defendants in three federal trials for trespassing upon the island of
Vieques, Puerto Rico; the US Atlantic Fleet’s former gunnery practice range.
Executive Officer & General Practitioner, Volunteer Unit, Detroit, Michigan, 1998-99
Provided legal assistance to military members, including wills and powers of
attorney; and taught the Officer Leadership Course to over 200 naval officers.
Staff Judge Advocate, Naval Station, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 1987-89
Supervised staff of 5 and provided counsel on administrative and criminal law,
ethics, FOIA, Privacy Act, labor and employment law, regulation drafting and
implementation, contracts, congressional liaison, and claims; decorated for advocacy
before the Merit System Protection Board.
Criminal Trial Lawyer, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 1986-87
First-chaired 200+ federal criminal trials or administrative hearings involving
offenses such as rape, sodomy, child molestation, sexual harassment, assault, drug
and alcohol abuse, attempts, conspiracy, burglary, absence offenses, hazing,
hazarding vessels, provoking gestures, perjury, larceny, and conduct unbecoming
officers and gentlemen.
Other Navy Distinctions:
Special Assistant United States Attorney's Office, Hawaiian Islands District, 1986
Head, Naval Legal Service Branch Office, NAS, Barbers Point, Hawaii, 1987
Command Liaison Officer, Hawaiian Islands naval aviation commands, 1987
Intelligence Analyst, Production Team Leader, Detroit, Michigan, 1989-91
Decorations: Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), Navy-Marine Corps Achievement
Medal (2 awards), National Defense Medal (2 awards), Armed Forces Reserve Medal
(mobilization M and silver hour glass), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,
Recruiting Ribbon, Riflemen Ribbon (Marksman), Pistol Medal (Expert), Golden
Wreath Award for Recruiting (5 awards)
ADMITTED State of Michigan Bar [November 1985]
United States Supreme Court
United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces