Paul J. Pantano, Jr., the head of Cadwalader's Energy & Commodities Group, focuses his practice in the areas of energy, commodities and derivatives law.  He represents energy companies, commodity and swap dealers, brokerage firms, trade associations and financial industry professionals in a wide variety of transactional, regulatory, legislative and litigation matters. 

Paul regularly represents clients in investigations and regulatory matters before the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other federal government agencies.  

Recognized as a leading energy lawyer by numerous independent commentators, Paul has been ranked by Chambers USA, Legal 500 and The Best Lawyers in America. He is a member of the CFTC's Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee and the editorial board of the Futures & Derivatives Law Report.  In addition, he is a frequent speaker at energy and commodity industry conferences.

Paul is the immediate past chair of the American Bar Association Committee on Derivatives and Futures Law.   He is a member of the Energy Bar Association and the Law & Compliance Division of the Futures Industry Association.  From 1994 through 1997, he served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law School, where he co-taught a graduate law course on the regulation of commodity and derivatives transactions.  He is a member of the Duke Law Alumni Board of Directors.

Prior to entering private practice, Paul was a trial attorney in the Division of Enforcement of the CFTC, where he represented the commission in numerous civil and administrative enforcement actions.

Paul earned his B.A. from Trinity College and his J.D. from the Duke University School of Law.  He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association.