Paul A. Michels, a partner with Cullen and Dykman LLP, a law firm founded in Brooklyn in 1850, is receiving the St. Thomas More Award. Michels has spent his entire 36-year legal career at Cullen and Dykman, last 28 years as a partner in the firm’s banking and real estate department.

He represents the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Archdiocese of New York, as well as various religious orders, including the Jesuits, Missionary Sisters, Dominican Fathers, Sisters of St. Dominic and Sisters of St. John the Baptist and educational institutions, including Fordham University, Molloy College and Xavier High School in real estate and corporate matters.

He represents national, regional and local financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, TD Bank and Ridgewood Savings Bank, in various real estate and financing transactions.

Paul resides in Eastchester, with his wife Mary Ann Finneran, and alumna of Marymount College and Pace Law, and their three children: Katie, a registered nurse and alumna of Villanova University; Kristin, a certified public accountant and alumna of Providence College, and Paul, a finance major at Providence College.