Paul Skeith

About Paul Skeith

I advise founders, boards, and nonprofit leaders during periods of growth, transition, and complexity—serving as outside general counsel and strategic advisor on governance, transactions, and risk. For more than 25 years, I have worked with closely held businesses, executives, and institutions on mergers and acquisitions, owner and founder transitions, entity restructurings, and board‑level decision‑making. My work focuses less on legal theory and more on helping leaders make sound, durable decisions when the stakes are high and the path forward is not always clear.In addition to my legal practice, I am an ordained Episcopal priest and have served in senior leadership roles within congregations, including founding and leading a new worshiping community and, more recently, building an evangelism and congregational formation ministry within an established parish. I also am currently serving as the dean of bivocational priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, where I provide leadership and support for clergy with dual careers. These experiences have deepened my approach to leadership, governance, and conflict—particularly in situations involving diverse stakeholders, values‑based decision‑making, and institutional change. I am most effective when working with leaders who value judgment, clarity, and trust over volume and velocity. My role is often part general counsel, part advisor, and part steady hand—helping organizations navigate inflection points with integrity and long‑term perspective.

Experience

1. Priest

   St. John\'s Episcopal Church, Austin

   Jan 2025 — Present

   Priest with responsibility for formation of a parish‑wide evangelism ministry in a multi cultural and bilingual congregation. Charged with designing and launching strategy, developing lay leadership, and integrating evangelism into congregational life. Work emphasizes organizational development, volunteer leadership, public communication, and change management within a nonprofit institutional context.

Education

• University of Pennsylvania

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, History

• The LBJ School of Public Affairs

  Master of Public Affairs - MPAff

• The University of Texas School of Law

  Doctor of Law - JD

• The University of Edinburgh

  Study Abroad Year

• Southern Methodist University

  Doctor of Ministry - DMin (in progress)

  2026 — 2029

Skills

• Corporate Governance
• Leadership Development
• Mediation
• Strategic Planning
• Nonprofits
• Strategy
• Business Strategy
• Due Diligence
• Management
• Leadership
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Corporate Law
• Mergers
• Contract Negotiation
• Start-Ups