Paul Tough

Before joining McElroy Sullivan Miller & Weber (MSMW), Paul Tough earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law. Paul’s practice focuses on environmental, water and energy issues.  He routinely appears before the Railroad Commission of Texas to assist clients with permitting matters, disposal wells, carbon sequestration, AGIs, water recycling, flaring issues, qualified subdivisions, mineral interest pooling act cases, field rule hearings, maximum efficient rate and net gas oil ratio hearings, and enforcement cases.  He also routinely assists clients with permitting and regulatory issues at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency, including air permitting, water discharges, water rights, environmental audits and enforcement cases.  He assists clients with pooling and commingling applications before the General Land Office, and has experience with rate proceedings before the Public Utility Commission and multiple contested cases before the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Prior to joining MSMW, Paul spent two years as an attorney and clerk with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. His practice focused on water quality (discharge permitting) and water utilities. Principally that work involved advising the Executive Director on water quality permitting matters, responding to public comment, and hearing requests, representing the Executive Director before the Commissioners and at the State Office of Administrative Hearings. Paul also participated in multiple contested case hearings and worked with the attorney general on several appeals. Paul has also served as the Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Oil and Gas Section of the Austin Bar Association.  He currently serves on the Council of the Administrative Law Section of the State Bar.

Paul comes from a family of engineers and health professionals.  He is married to a nurse practitioner and they have three rowdy boys.  Paul enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, and coaching (mainly watching now) his kids in sports.