J. Paul Forrester

Paul Forrester is a respected corporate finance and securities lawyer whose practice is especially focused on structured credit, including collateralized loan obligations, energy (including oil and gas, utilities, shipping, refinery and pipeline) financings and project development, and financing (especially concerning renewable energy, industrial, petrochemical, power and transportation projects and infrastructure).

Chambers USA 2016 noted "Paul is considered "a true expert" in structured credit, with particular expertise in financing arrangements for energy and utility clients. Clients appreciate that he "understands how changes impact our business," and is "very commercially minded" in his advice." Chambers USA 2012 notes that Paul "has etched out a niche for himself in renewable energy transactions and power project development." Chambers USA 2009 noted that Paul has a "diverse expertise [which] encompasses a variety of derivatives, CLOs, CDOs and bond financing." Chambers USA recently described Paul as “‘Outstanding’ . . . [he] has a practice split between CDOs, structured credit products and project finance. Clients praised his deep technical knowledge. An ‘excellent understanding of where businessmen are coming from’ and ‘a problem-solving attitude’ give Paul . . . a ‘critical perspective,’ instilling in clients ‘a high degree of confidence’ in him." He also "produces great work every time." Legal 500 2009 stated that Paul is "always looking for solutions, and generally finds them", and that Paul "has established an interesting niche in securitized products within the environmental sector." The Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide series recommends Paul as one of the world’s leading lawyers in Project Finance. Paul was named to Legal 500's list of Hall of Fame lawyers in 2017.

Prior to joining Mayer Brown in 1980, Paul was associated with a law firm based in Sydney, Australia. He served as Director of Bildakit Homes, an Australian enterprise, between 1986 and 1987, subsequently resuming his career with Mayer Brown later in 1987.

• Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, JD
• University of Sydney, LLB
• University of Sydney, BA

• Illinois
• New York
• Australia, New South Wales

• American Bar Association, Sections of Business Law, Public Utility Law and Environment, Energy and Resources Law