Overview
Other Pursuits
"There are, from time to time, moments when I engage in pursuits other than the law. Most days, I spend at least a little time pursuing my life-long passion for chess. In all candor, I’m not particularly good at it, but it brings me peace when I win and humility when I lose. For me chess is, above all else, a constant reminder not to take myself too seriously in this win some, lose some world.
"When not lawyering or trying to tap into my inner Garry Kasparov—or I suppose it’s Magnus Carlsen these days—you may find me by following the low notes to my music room, where I eschew gently weeping guitars in favor of the bone-rattling thunder of the electric bass, a constant in my life since my teenage years. I played in bands from junior high school through college, and in college I ran the on-campus recording studio. Today, depending on my mood, I may jam to classic rock, pretty much anything from the 80s, grunge, or whatever else I heard on the radio that day. My axes of choice are an MVP4 and a Pentabuzz, both by Pedulla, run through a Fender Super Bassman 300W stack. I have an emotional attachment to my rig. Don’t judge me.
"I am also a husband and a father of two sons and a daughter. This is, by far, the most important and interesting aspect of my life. My children delight, confound, amaze, frustrate, amuse, irritate, and inspire me on a daily basis, which I think means we are all doing our respective jobs.
"I grew up minutes from where the New England Patriots play. I have been hooked on the team since Steve Grogan’s third year, which means that I lived through a lot of lean years—I remember those 2-14 and 1-15 seasons—before the recent pleasantness. In our house, though our kids have always lived in Northern Virginia, we all are die-hard Patriots and Red Sox fans. When our teams go to the big dance, we go with them. For my kids, their frame of reference is that the family goes to the Super Bowl or the World Series to cheer for our team about every two or three years. Having experienced the searing pain of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, however, I know all too well that this is not the natural state of things for Boston or any other city, so I am teaching my kids never to gloat, and instead to enjoy and to appreciate every minute of this extraordinarily good run while it lasts, before it reverts to another 86 years of soul-crushing gloom.
"Life is good."
— Paul DeCamp





Video Interview
Insider Strategies for Wage and Hour Compliance Success: Paul discusses his experience as the former head of the Wage and Hour Division under President George W. Bush and provides an insider’s view of government enforcement priorities, compliance pitfalls, and the complexities employers face when disputes arise.
Experience
- Challenged the DOL on behalf of the National Restaurant Association in federal court and before agency personnel to withdraw its 2011 regulations regarding tip credits. Paul’s work paved the way for restaurants and other businesses to create tip pools for tipped and non-tipped employees.
- Defended 30 NCAA Division I universities against claims they owed their student-athletes the minimum wage under the FLSA as employees for time spent participating in intercollegiate sports. In arguing the absence of an employment relationship, Paul secured the first federal appellate ruling that collegiate athletics should continue as an amateur endeavor rather than as paid employment.
- Defended a pharmaceutical company in three lawsuits (in California, Florida, and Illinois federal courts) that challenged the exempt status of pharmaceutical sales representatives. Though plaintiffs’ counsel attempted to transfer all three suits to the only circuit that classified those workers as non-exempt, Paul persuaded the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation to conclude that each case should remain in its original district.
- Defended Shoe Show, a large independent shoe retailer, against attempts to certify a nationwide FLSA collective action involving the exempt status of store managers. Paul challenged the plaintiff’s contention of common practices by proving the plaintiff had limited knowledge of payment practices at other store locations.
Congressional Testimony
- The Treatment of Tipped Workers Under the Fair Labor Standards Act: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education & the Workforce, 118th Cong. (2024)
- Bad for Business: DOL’s Proposed Overtime Rule: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education & the Workforce, 118th Cong. (2023)
- Essential but Undervalued: Examining Workplace Protections for Domestic Workers: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education and Labor, 117th Cong. (2022)
- Farmworkers, Domestic Workers, and Tipped Wage Under the Fair Labor Standards Act: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education and Labor, 117th Cong. (2021)
- Combatting Wage Theft: The Critical Role of Wage and Hour Enforcement: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies of the H. Comm. on Appropriations, 116th Cong. (2019)
- Improving the Federal Wage and Hour Regulatory Structure: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education and the Workforce, 113th Cong. (2014)
- The Misclassification of Workers as Independent Contractors: What Policies and Practices Best Protect Workers?: Joint Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions and the Subcomm. on Workforce Protections of the H. Comm. on Education and Labor, 110th Cong. 9-35 (2007)
- Adequacy of Labor Law Enforcement in New Orleans: Hearing Before the Subcomm. on Domestic Policy of the H. Comm. on Oversight and Government Reform, 110th Cong. (2007)
Recognition
- Law360, “Employment Practice Group of the Year” (2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law—Management (2019 to 2025); Litigation—Labor and Employment (2017 to 2025)
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business: District of Columbia—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2018 to 2023); Virginia—Labor & Employment, "Leader in Their Field" (2011 to 2017)
According to a source, “[Paul] is without a doubt the smartest attorney I have ever worked with. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of his practice area and, moreover, is practical in his advice." Another source says that Paul “combines a deep knowledge of the law and has a real understanding of the economics that drive our business. He has a great work ethic, and is extremely efficient with his time." And another source adds, “He is an excellent lawyer, especially on wage and hour."
- The Legal 500 United States, Labor and Employment Disputes (Including Collective Actions): Defense (2018 to 2024); Workplace and Employment Counseling (2018 to 2021)
- Washington, DC, Super Lawyers, Employment Litigation: Defense and Employment & Labor: Employer (2014 to 2024)
- Washingtonian Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” Employment Defense (2020, 2022)
- Virginia Super Lawyers, Employment Litigation: Defense and Employment & Labor (2013 to 2017)
- Virginia Rising Stars, Employment Litigation: Defense and Employment & Labor (2010 to 2011)
- Secretary of Labor Exceptional Achievement Awards, Recipient of three awards (2007 to 2008)
Credentials
Education
- Columbia University School of Law (J.D., 1995)
- Notes Editor, Columbia Law Review
- Director and Student Editor, First-Year Moot Court Program
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Harvard College (A.B., magna cum laude, 1992)
- John Harvard Academic Scholar
- Harvard College Academic Scholar
- National Merit Scholar
- President, Quad Sound Studios, a student-run on-campus recording studio
Bar Admissions
- California
- District of Columbia
- Virginia
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Employment Law Council
- Law360 Employment Editorial Advisory Board (2021)
- Law360 Wage & Hour Advisory Board (2022, 2023, 2024)
Focus Areas
Services
Trending Issues
Events
Upcoming Events
Past Events
- November 29, 2023
- July 20 to 21, 2023
Media
Insights
Insights
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Discusses Effect of Department of Labor Office Closures2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “DOGE Office Closures Raise Wage Enforcement Worries”2 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “How Jarkesy May Reshape DOL Civil Penalty Enforcement”
3 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “How Child Labor Enforcement Will Change Under Trump”2 minute read
- Firm AnnouncementsEpstein Becker Green’s Complimentary Wage & Hour App Empowers Employers with Updates on Key Laws for 20253 minute read
- BlogsEpstein Becker Green’s Free Wage-Hour App Includes Updates on New 2025 Laws2 minute read
- BlogsUpdated for 2025: Epstein Becker Green’s Free Wage-Hour App2 minute read
- PublicationsWhat to Expect from the Wage and Hour Division in the Second Trump Administration3 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green’s Employment, Labor & Workforce Management Practice Honored as a Law360 2024 “Employment ...
6 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Biden Prevailed on Wage Policies, but Trump Can Undo Them”1 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “Loper Bright May Be Mixed Bag for DOL Rulemaking”
2 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “The Hottest Topics Appellate Attys Are Tracking in 2025”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “3 Biden-Era Wage Regs That Could Sink in 2025”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Labor Agency Won More Wage-Hour Penalties on Less Enforcement”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “DOL Says Brewery Partial Owner Has Limited Access to Tips”1 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Circuit-by-Circuit Guide to 2024's Most Memorable Moments”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Pay Bump for Disabled Workers Has Chance of Survival Under Trump”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Business Groups Wary of Trump’s Pro-Union Labor Secretary Pick”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Trump’s Labor Pick Is a Break with the Past”5 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Federal Enforcement of Worker Protections Likely Shifting in California Under Trump” ...4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Few of Workers’ Biggest Gains from Biden Era Are Safe from Trump”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “How Trump’s Return Could Shift the Wage-Hour Landscape”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Restaurant Groups Agree Tip Rule Decision Needs Update”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Advocates for Restaurant Groups in Fifth Circuit Tipped Wage Rule Dispute2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Featured in “A Solution-Oriented Approach”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Delivers Testimony on Rescinded Tip Rule to House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circuit Signs Off on DOL’s Overtime Salary Basis Test”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “What Employers Need to Know Now That the 80/20 Tip Credit Rule Has Been Overturned”4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Punching In: DOL’s Summer of Enforcement Efforts on Tipped Wages”4 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp, Kathleen Barrett Featured in “Law360's Legal Lions of the Week”
1 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “California Wage Theft Victims Miss Out on Millions in Collected Funds”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Fifth Circuit Strikes Down DOL Tip Credit Rule”4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Business Assault on DOL Judges Begins with Whistleblower Claims”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Featured in “Former DOL W&H Head Talks Shop on Agency Rulemaking”11 minute read
- BlogsFederal Appeals Court Vacates Department of Labor’s “80/20/30 Rule” Regarding Tipped Employees12 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circuit Tosses DOL’s Tip Credit Final Rule”5 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5th Circ. Strikes Down DOL Tip Rule”3 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Tipped Worker Downtime Wage Rule Vacated by Fifth Circuit”2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “5 Wage Priorities in the Democrats' 2024 Platform”4 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Attorneys Honored for Excellence in the Legal Profession by Best Lawyers 2025
14 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Wage and Hour Issues to Watch the Rest of 2024”4 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Federal Minimum Wage Hits 15 Years Without Movement”3 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “What Employers Can Expect Following the End of Chevron Deference”
3 minute read - Blogs
Supreme Court Overturns Chevron—but for Stakeholders, the Impact Is No Cause for Alarm
5 minute read - BlogsChevron Is Overturned, but Stakeholders Need Not Worry5 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “6 Major Rulings for Wage-Hour Attorneys So Far in 2024”4 minute read
- Media Coverage
Paul DeCamp Quoted in “The Supreme Court Discards Chevron Doctrine, Unleashing a Threat to Biden's Climate Policies” ...
7 minute read - Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Participates in House Agriculture Committee Meeting on Child Labor Violations2 minute read
- Media CoveragePaul DeCamp Quoted in “Justices’ Look at Overtime Exemption Proof Raises Liability Risk”3 minute read
- Firm Announcements
Epstein Becker Green Receives National Recognition and Top Rankings in the 2024 Edition of Legal 500
3 minute read