Paul E. Toppins, born Ganado, Texas.  University of Alabama, B.A., Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1979; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif, Hugo Black Scholar, Dean M. Leigh Harrison Scholar, Alabama Law Review (1981-82) and Editorial Board (1982); Columbia University School of Law, L.L.M., with a focus on intellectual property law.

Mr. Toppins is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the District of Columbia Bar. He is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.  He is a member of the Birmingham Bar, Alabama State Bar and American Bar Associations.

Mr. Toppins served as counsel to the Chairman of the United States Senate Select Committee on Ethics, and was an editor for the Bureau of National Affairs in Washington, D.C.  He has taught media law to journalism students at American University in Washington, D.C., and legal writing at the Cumberland Law School of Samford University and the University of Alabama School of Law. He has been a regular contributor to Alabama State Bar publications and a speaker on technology and law issues.  He regularly advises clients regarding trademark, copyright and intellectual property issues.