Former U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Career Prosecutor and Alumnus Paul Charlton to Deliver Keynote at University of Arizona Law 2026 Convocation Ceremony
Paul Charlton (JD ’88, BA ’83), partner at the international law firm Dentons and former U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, will deliver the keynote address at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law 2026 convocation ceremony, Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Charlton is a member of Dentons’ White Collar and Government Investigations practice, representing Fortune 500 companies and corporate executives in high-profile complex litigation, internal investigations and white-collar criminal defense matters. He also practices Native American law, representing tribes and tribal leaders on nationally reported matters.
He has provided expert testimony on prosecutor ethics in high-profile matters and taught the subject at Arizona Law and at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. Charlton is currently a member of the Board of Visitors at Arizona Law.
Prior to practice, Charlton served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, and Assistant Attorney General at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Charlton is a double Wildcat, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and his Juris Doctor in 1988 from the University of Arizona. During his time at the College of Law, he served as the Note and Comment Editor of the Arizona Law Review.
He and his wife of 39 years have two adult sons. Together they own and operate a cattle ranch in north-eastern Arizona.