William F. (Fritz) Paulus
My upbringing in Oregon and an abiding connection to the land drew me to conservation and natural resource issues. Protection of our landscapes and wildlife, and providing outdoor recreational opportunities has always been my passion. My first notable conservation act was when my sister and I persuaded our parents to forgo removing a big Doug-fir in the pathway of a proposed driveway extension at our home. This same passion caused me in 2001 to change course from a promising criminal law career to land conservation acquisition.
Thereafter, I worked for Oregon’s largest regional government to acquire land to protect wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and provide people access to nature. I also directed a cutting-edge, state-wide nonprofit that acquired or leased water rights to increase stream flow in Oregon. My deals ranged from big to small—properties of just a few acres to a thousand; donations and multi-million dollar purchases. Consequently, I negotiated and completed a variety of real property and water right transactions: fee title purchases, conservation easements, land exchanges, trail easements, life estates, and in-stream flow agreements.
In 2012 I opened my own law practice to put this diverse and extensive experience to work for individuals, organizations, and government entities that need legal representation and advice with land conservation and real property transactions and land use matters.
With all clients, my goal is to provide results-oriented legal services with a positive attorney-client relationship. I enjoy helping people solve their problems—one reason I went into the law—as well as the intellectual rigor and expertise of the profession.
I like to employ problem-solving techniques learned at the Harvard Negotiation Institute to advocate for clients using “interest-based” negotiation versus merely “positional bargaining.” This approach strives to produce favorable outcomes for a client by examining the underlying interests of the parties involved, understanding the alternatives of a negotiated agreement, exploring solutions for mutual gain before committing to any particular option, using clear and effective communication in the process, and basing a decision on standards of legitimacy that seem fair to the parties. This process also helps to build or maintain the desired relationship with the other party or parties.
With over 34 years of experience in the legal profession, I am committed to representing you to the best of my ability to achieve your goals and protect your financial and legal interests.
Education
J.D., University of Oregon, 1991
B.A., Whitman College, Mathematics
South Salem High School
Professional Memberships
Oregon State Bar, member since 1991
Section memberships:
Real Estate and Land Use
Solo and Small Firm
Other Professional Experience
Oregon Naturalist Field Course, North Willamette Valley, enrolled Spring 2026
Oregon Naturalist Online Course, OSU Extension Service, completed Spring 2025
Metro Natural Areas and Capital Program Performance Oversight Committee
Author, Conservation Easements, Chapter 59 Oregon Real Estate Deskbook
Harvard Negotiation Institute, Tools for Preparing and Negotiating Effectively
Real Estate Negotiator, Metro Natural Areas Program
Executive Director, Oregon Water Trust
Board Member (President, 2000), Friends of Trees
Assistant Attorney General, Oregon Dept. of Justice, Trial Division
Staff Attorney, Multnomah Defenders Inc.
Judicial Clerk, Hon. Edwin E. Allen, Lane County Circuit Court