Paul Figley

Prof. Paul Figley

Professor of Legal Rhetoric, American University Washington College of Law

Topics: Federalism & Separation of Powers • Federalism • Separation of Powers • Administrative Law & Regulation • Litigation

Professor Paul Figley is a Professor of Legal Rhetoric at the Washington College of Law where he first joined the faculty in 2006. Professor Figley has taught Legal Rhetoric, first year Torts, and upper level Advanced Lawyering Skills: Tort Litigation. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Administrative Law Review and the American University Law Review. The Student Bar Association named Washington College of Law Professor of the Year for 2012-13 and Faculty Member of the Year for 2014-15.

Professor Figley has testified before Congress, presented at scholarly symposia and conferences of national organizations and government agencies. He has written for national legal writing publications and has published articles in scholarly journals. His book, A Guide to the Federal Tort Claims Act (ABA, 2018), is now in its second edition.

Professor Figley served three decades as a litigator for the U.S. Department of Justice where he was Deputy Director of the Torts Branch for fifteen years. At Justice, Professor Figley represented the United States and its agencies in appellate and district court litigation involving torts, national security, and information law.

Professor Figley is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and Southern Methodist University School of Law, where he was Leading Articles Editor for the Journal of Air Law & Commerce.



  • JD, Southern Methodist University School of Law
  • BA, Franklin & Marshall College

*****

A person listed as a contributor has spoken or otherwise participated in Federalist Society events, publications, or multimedia presentations. A person's appearance on this list does not imply any other endorsement or relationship between the person and the Federalist Society. In most cases, the biographical information on a person's "contributor" page is provided directly by the person, and the Federalist Society does not edit or otherwise endorse that information. The Federalist Society takes no position on particular legal or public policy issues. All expressions of opinion by a contributor are those of the contributor.