About Paul
Paul is a Special Counsel in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team at Arnold Bloch Leibler. He returned to the legal practice after almost four years in London as the Guardian’s global readers’ editor, an internal ombudsman-like role.
He was the inaugural Australian board director when the Guardian established its operation in Australia in 2013. A journalist and lawyer, Paul practised at ABL before appointment as Victoria’s first Privacy Commissioner in 2001 under the Information Privacy Act 2000 (Vic).
From 2007-2012 he was director of editorial policies at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation where he led policy revision to adapt the ABC to the convergence brought about by digital technologies. During 13 elections around Australia he chaired the Election Coverage Review Committee, administering the ABC’s system of free election broadcast time for eligible political parties.
Author of books on freedom of information law and media ownership, Paul has been a member of several inquiries. Early in his career he ran in Victoria the non-profit, university-affiliated Communications Law Centre.
Practice focus
Paul uses his long, unusual career experience in media, law and government to contribute to matters across ABL.
Paul’s practices focuses on the following areas:
- freedom of information law
- privacy law
- laws affecting speech (such as defamation, contempt and whistleblower protection)
Experience
Since returning to ABL in 2023 Paul has worked on a range of private sector and public sector matters and contributed expertise to ABL’s pro bono scheme.
Paul has supported lawyers across the firm, in particular working with Leon Zwier, in representing Brittany Higgins in the high profile defamation case brought by Bruce Lehrmann against Network Ten, Victorian Government in their withdrawal from hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games, and the Melbourne Symphany Orchestra.
For part of 2024 Paul was Visiting Counsel to the federal Office of the eSafety Commissioner.
Directorships & memberships
- Australian director (non executive) GNM Australia Pty Ltd, the digital-only Australian journalism operation of Guardian News & Media UK, 2012-2016
- Member, Advisory committee, Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), 2006
- Member, Newborn Screening Review Committee, Victorian Department of Human Services, 2006
- Member, Media Alliance (Australian Journalists’ Association) Ethics Review Committee (Brennan Committee) 1995 – first public review since the AJA adopted its code of ethics in 1944. Lead drafter of recommended revised code, still in use.
- Member, Attorney-General’s Working Party into Victorian Newspaper Ownership (Mathews Committee) 1990
Awards & recognition
- Walkley Award, Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, 1997