Paul D. Ziel is a seasoned trial attorney and a founding partner of Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC. With extensive trial and courtroom experience, Paul has proven his knowledge in various areas of law, including over 20 jury trials, more than 100 court trials, and appearances in California Federal Court and North Dakota Federal and State Court. Additionally, Paul has argued cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Idaho State Supreme Court and the Idaho Court of Appeals.
 
Paul’s passion for the courtroom continues to drive his practice, which focuses primarily on civil litigation and federal criminal defense. His litigation experience encompasses contract, business, land use, and construction disputes. Additionally, Paul handles numerous guardianship cases, representing the Bonneville County Board of Community Guardians.
 
Before co-founding Murray, Ziel, & Johnston, PLLC, Paul served as a judicial law clerk for multiple district court judges in the Seventh Judicial District of Idaho. He further developed his legal skills as a deputy prosecuting attorney in Bonneville and Jefferson counties in Idaho. In this position, he prosecuted a wide range of cases from infractions and misdemeanors to major felonies [including white-collar crimes and murder]. Paul also managed his own law firm for three years, focusing on general litigation, and served as an online instructor for BYU-Idaho from 2011 to 2018.
 
Paul graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. As a law student, he was a senior editor of the BYU Journal of Public Law and published two legal articles. He worked as a research assistant for professors specializing in land use law and real property law and actively participated in the alternative dispute resolution club.
 
Paul holds degrees in Economics from Brigham Young University and Business Management from Ricks College. He is a proud graduate of Rigby High School in Rigby, Idaho.
 
Dedicated to serving both the legal community and the broader community, Paul has served as the past president of the Eagle Rock Inn of Court and is a current officer of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. He has coached youth football for several years and volunteered extensively for various youth organizations.
 
Born and raised in Southeastern Idaho, Paul enjoys spending his spare time with his family and exploring Idaho’s great outdoors.

What Our Clients Have to Say

“Paul Ziel is a First Class Attorney if you’re looking for a lawyer who is 100% for his clients. then he’s the man! Hands down he helped give one of our family members, another chance at life. We are very greatly appreciative, to him and his law firm. He is a man of integrity, knows the courts inside and out, and cares about his clients. He puts it all out there. We highly recommend this gentleman. 5 Star All The Way!!!”

Breana W.

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