News
Paul T. Jenson
Partner-in-Charge / Industry Chair Chicago
- E pjenson@taftlaw.com
- T (312) 836-4046
- F (312) 966-8484
Summary
Paul is a leading gaming lawyer who has extensive experience counseling casino owners, operators, suppliers, lenders and institutional investors in all aspects of gaming regulatory law. Paul also assists businesses with corporate and securities issues, and helps high net worth individuals and families with their estate planning needs. Paul has been practicing law for over 20 years, and his practical advice and successful track record working with clients are among the reasons why he has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business since 2017.
As co-chair of Taft’s Gaming industry group, Paul works with clients in all areas of the gaming industry on licensing, acquisitions and dispositions, financing transactions, administrative hearings, compliance plans, internal investigations, and general corporate governance. He also works closely with state and local gaming regulatory agencies, and has significant experience drafting gaming law statutes, administrative rules, and policies. Paul has experience resolving gaming-related manners across a variety of jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, and Europe.
In addition to working on gaming matters, Paul assists private entities, public companies, and other business clients with a wide variety of general corporate and securities matters. Businesses often turn to Paul for assistance and advice with M&A activity, corporate governance, public and private offerings of debt and equity, securities registration for national exchange trading, SEC investigations, and other regulatory investigations.
Paul began his legal career as an estate planning lawyer and continues to advise families and individuals regarding their estate planning needs. He has administered estates valued at over $100 million, and has experience implementing tax reduction techniques, overseeing tax reporting and compliance, and structuring and administering charitable giving vehicles.
Paul actively shares his knowledge about the law as a writer and a source for journalists. Paul is a go-to resource for casino and gaming issues and has been quoted in publications such as the Chicago Tribune and Gambling Compliance. Paul also co-wrote an article with Taft colleague Erin Lynch Cordier in The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Gambling 2018. Paul is the co-founder and former co-chairperson of the Chicago Bar Association’s Gaming Practice Committee, and lectures frequently on gaming law issues at Roosevelt University.
Paul received his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and received his B.S. in Business Administration from Marquette University.
Awards
Honoree, Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers®, Gaming Law, Chicago (2024)
Nationwide Honoree, Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Gaming & Licensing Law (2017 – present)
Honoree, Leading Lawyers (2014 – present)
Honoree, “Notable Gen X Leaders in Law” Crain’s Chicago Business (2019)
Honoree, Best Lawyers in America, Gaming Law (2021 – present)
All Service Areas
All Practices
All Industries
Education
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law (1996)
- Marquette University (1993)
B.S. – Business Administration
Admissions
- State - Illinois
- State - Pennsylvania
Speeches and Publications
Co-author, The International Comparative Legal Guide: Gambling 2024, December 2023.
Co-author, The International Comparative Legal Guide: Gambling 2023, December 2022.
Featured, “Boston Conference Report #1: Distributed Gaming,” IMGL Magazine, Oct. 2021.
Panelist, International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) 2021 Autumn Conference, Sept. 16, 2021
Co-author, “2020 Gaming Bill Passed by the Illinois General Assembly,” Taft Law Bulletin, May 26, 2020
Co-author, “SBA Modifies Eligibility Qualifications for Gaming Businesses,” Taft Law Bulletin, April 27, 2020
Co-author, “Summary of Illinois Historic Gaming Expansion Bill – Updated,” Taft Law Bulletin, July 1, 2019
News
Taft Acts as Legal Counsel to J&J Ventures Gaming in Integration of Golden Route Operations News
Three Hundred Sixty-Three Taft Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers in America® 2025 News
Taft Ranked in Chambers USA 2024 Guide with 85 Attorneys and 34 Practices Recognized News
Taft Chicago Office Remodel Featured in Chicago Lawyer
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
Member
- Illinois State Bar Association
Member
- International Association of Gaming Attorneys
Member
- Chicago Bar Association
Founder & Co-Chair, Gaming Practice Committee