Paul Leisher was drawn to the practice of law after working as a paralegal for criminal defense and civil rights attorneys. He received his J.D. later in life, with honors, from the University of Montana School of Law and then clerked for a Montana Supreme Court Justice. In 2022, Paul co-founded Leisher & Landsiedel P.C., an experimental law firm that seeks to reshape the traditional culture and structure of law firms to make the practice of law a healthier, more flexible, and more fulfilling profession for its members. The structure of the firm is designed to balance paid work—predominantly criminal defense and small business and real estate litigation—with a variety of pro bono work, and to harmonize professional obligations with time for travel and outdoor adventures.
In 2015, Paul began working with the Montana Innocence Project on investigation and litigation of actual innocence cases. He has continued that work through the present as well as participating in strategic planning for the MT Innocence Project and amici briefing with the national Innocence Project’s Strategic Litigation Department. In 2023, he joined the Board of Directors.