PAUL MATOUKA

I was born and raised in Michigan just north of Detroit. I earned my undergraduate degree in environmental science and policy. After graduating from Michigan State, I spent three summers working in Colorado for the Bureau of Land Management fighting forest fires. In my off seasons (fire season only ran from around May to late August or early September each year) I worked various jobs and travelled. After three seasons of firefighting, I chose to go to law school at Wayne State University with the hopes of becoming an environmental lawyer. However, in my first year at law school I became involved in the Flint Water Crisis litigation. This experience emphasized the relationship between our civil rights and the environment. While studying at Wayne State University, I was fortunate enough to receive a fellowship to study public international law in the Hague. After graduation, I interned at a large international law firm before finding my home at Oliver Law Group, P.C.

My upbringing, education, and experiences shaped my worldview and goals as an attorney. I see my role as standing up for those who are injured or oppressed by people or entities who have more power and resources. There are always abuses of power by the state and corporations and if those abuses are not called out, those responsible are likely to repeat their actions. I hope to continue to protect the rights of those in need and will continue to strive to have a constitutional right to the environment recognized at a state and federal level.