Paul was born in Syracuse, New York in 1957 and grew up in the state of Michigan. His father was a surgeon in the small town of Howell, Michigan. Paul got his undergraduate degree in 1979 at the University of Michigan.

Paul earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1982 at the Detroit College of Law, which was then a private Law School but is now a part of Michigan State University.

Paul was admitted to the Michigan Bar in 1982 and the Colorado Bar in 1983. Paul was a Chapter 7 Trustee on the Panel of Bankruptcy Trustees for the District of Colorado for 6 years.

Paul moved to Colorado in 1983 to ski and live the Mountain life. He is married and has two children (girl and boy). Music has been his passion. He has been in various bands playing trumpet and has been active for many years singing in choirs and as a featured Tenor soloist.