Paul T. Williams Jr. is Counsel in Arent Fox’s New York office.

Prior to joining the firm, Paul was the President/CEO of DASNY (the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York), the State’s largest conduit issuer of municipal bonds for independent higher education and healthcare institutions, as well as for state-supported capital projects and related services. He oversaw over $30 billion in bond issuance and DASNY construction expenditures exceeding $6.3 billion in aggregate. He was first appointed to his position at DASNY in June 2008 and his tenure was renewed in December 2010 by then Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo.

Paul notably served as chairman of the Task Force to Increase the Utilization of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises in State Debt Offerings from 2008 to 2010. His efforts led to new legislation that significantly expanded the opportunities for all minority and women owned firms in State procurements.

While in government, Paul also promoted the use of public/private partnerships (P3s) to deliver large scale social infrastructure, including public health laboratories, hospitals and dormitories. He lends this experience to the firm’s representation of funders/developers and others engaged in P3 project delivery.

In addition, Paul’s many years of experience working closely with government and business leaders in New York, such as his service on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s appointments committee and education cabinet, provides benefits for clients of the firm’s Government Relations practice.

Paul previously served as a partner at two law firms, including a firm which he co-founded. He was also a principal of a boutique investment banking firm. In addition to his role as Counsel, Paul is principal of a strategy advisory consulting company.