Haynes Boone is delighted to welcome a litigation team in Partner Paul B. Lewis and Counsel Brett Walker to the firm’s new Boston office, further strengthening its litigation bench and growing capabilities in the region. Joining from a large, multinational firm, their arrival marks the latest step in Haynes Boone’s continued growth, following the successful launch of the Boston office in January.
Lewis, a Boston native, is a first-chair trial and appellate litigator who focuses on complex commercial disputes. He represents clients across a range of industries, including technology, hospitality, healthcare and financial services, handling matters in state and federal courts as well as on appeal. His practice focuses on business-to-business disputes, consumer-facing class actions and False Claims Act litigation, adding depth to the firm’s litigation bench in Boston alongside fellow complex commercial litigator Dan Rosenfeld.
Walker is a versatile litigator with experience representing large corporate entities as well as government agencies in high-profile civil actions. He served as the chief of litigation for a major city, as the general counsel for a state agency and as a Superior Court prosecutor, in addition to representing corporate clients in construction, design, engineering and employment litigation as a civil defense attorney in private practice. Walker is also a lieutenant colonel and battalion commander in the U.S. Army reserve.
“Paul and Brett are dynamic litigators with significant trial and appellate experience and a strong reputation in the Boston market,” said Litigation Department Chair Leslie Thorne. “As we continue building our litigation department throughout the Northeast, their ability to lead high-stakes matters and develop client relationships will be an important addition to our platform.”
Lewis has secured dispositive victories for clients ranging from global companies to closely held businesses in matters involving contract disputes, class actions, complex high-exposure premises liability claims, real estate disputes and complex statutory claims. His appellate experience spans multiple federal circuits and Massachusetts appellate courts, complementing the firm’s broad litigation capabilities.
“I am excited to join Haynes Boone at a time when the firm is investing meaningfully in Boston,” Lewis said. “The opportunity to help build a litigation practice in a market where I’ve spent my entire career, alongside a team that values collaboration and growth, is incredibly compelling.”
Lewis has been widely recognized for his work, including being named a “New Leader in the Law” for Law.com’s New England Legal Awards, a “Top Lawyer” in commercial litigation by Boston Magazine, an “Up-and-Coming Lawyer” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and a “Stand-Out Lawyer” by Thomson Reuters. Lewis also serves on the Steering Committee of the Boston Bar Association’s Business and Commercial Litigation Section.
In addition to his commercial practice, Lewis maintains an active pro bono practice, including representing tenants in a successful jury trial and advocating on behalf foster children in appellate litigation involving federal benefits in the U.S. Court of Appeals. Lewis has been named to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s “High Honor Roll” for his pro bono work.
Previously, Lewis served as an assistant district attorney in Boston and also served as a term judicial law clerk at the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts after graduating from Boston College Law School.
Haynes Boone has welcomed 30 lateral partners firmwide since the beginning of 2025, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in private credit, capital markets, investment management, labor and employment, M&A, energy, intellectual property and litigation.
