Paul K. Ort

Share Paul Keller Ort is a Pennsylvania litigator with experience ranging from trials to appeals. He works creatively for clients—whether plaintiffs or defendants—including global companies, banks, local government, landlords/tenants, and landowners, both large and small. His practice includes real estate litigation (including ejectment, foreclosure, adverse possession, quiet title, and eminent domain), commercial and residential leases, commercial loans and creditors rights (including enforcement of judgments), contract interpretation, election law, and appellate litigation. While a law student, Paul served at the Berkeley Law Death Penalty Clinic and at the East Bay Community Law Center, where he defended low-income Bay Area tenants against eviction. Paul has put out fires outside the courtroom as well. He was a Wildland Firefighter with the U. S. Forest Service for seven fire seasons, earning the title of Incident Commander and serving on a helicopter rappelling team. He helped suppress more than 60 wildfires in nine Western U. S. states. Show More Services Litigation Appellate Eminent Domain Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Privacy and Data Security Real Estate and Construction Litigation Securities Enforcement and Corporate Governance Litigation Political and Election Law Representative Experience Representative Matters Represented a third-party intervenor in overturning a Philadelphia real estate tax sale under the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act. Obtained and enforced (through contempt proceedings) a preliminary injunction in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas requiring specific performance of a lease. Represented a commercial landlord through bench trial in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, including motions in limine, voir dire, cross-examination of the defendants expert, and post-trial motions. Prevailed on an appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court of a trial court order that erroneously dismissed a de novo appeal of a Philadelphia Municipal Court landlord/tenant judgment. Advised a global pharmaceutical company regarding interpretation of a product licensing agreement. Tried a civil rights case to a jury verdict in federal court—including opposing two motions for summary judgment, motion in limine, direct examination of plaintiff, and closing argument. Served on trial teams in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (felony murder defense team pursuing release of a former death-row inmate based on advances in forensic science) and International Chamber of Commerce (arbitration with potential damages of nearly $1 billion). Show More Professional Highlights Pro Bono Experience Paul represents low-income tenants in the greater Philadelphia area, including in eviction defense, self-help eviction/constructive eviction, and habitability issues. Judicial Externship Hon. James Donato, U. S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 2016 Related Insights Legal Alert Colorado Supreme Court Holds That Insurrection Clause Bars Trump From Primary Ballot Legal Alert US Supreme Court Confirms Redistricting Authority of State Courts Legal Alert Supreme Court Rules that Private Parties May Condemn State-Owned Property Legal Alert Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Pipeline Condemnation Case Load More Credentials Education University of California, Berkeley, School of Law (J. D. 2018) Order of the Coif Pomona College (B. A., magna cum laude, 2009) Phi Beta Kappa Admissions Pennsylvania U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania U. S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania U. S. Supreme Court U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit