Paul Ort

Paul Keller Ort

Associate He / Him / His
Philadelphia

Paul Keller Ort is a litigator with experience ranging from appearing at trial to appellate argument. He works creatively for clients—whether plaintiffs or defendants—including global companies, local government, landlords and tenants, banks, condemnors, and condemnees. His practice includes real estate litigation, commercial and residential leases, commercial loans and creditor’s rights, consumer protection law, election law, contract interpretation, appellate litigation, and corporate governance.

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. 

Experience 

Representative Matters

  • Obtained and enforced a preliminary injunction in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas requiring specific performance of a lease.
  • 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 judgment.
  • Represented a landlord from discovery through a bench trial in the Bucks County Court of Common pleas—including argument of motions in limine, voir dire and cross-examination of the defendant’s expert, and post-trial motions.

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

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