Paul Knowlton

Of Counsel, Stanton Law LLC

IP Attorney, Author 

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Paul Knowlton is a lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is Of Counsel with a firm called Stanton Law LLC and is a specialist in IP law.

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We discuss the book that he has recently co-authored, titled Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics

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Bio

Show notes

Links

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Bio:

Paul Knowlton is a lawyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is Of Counsel with a firm called Stanton Law LLC and is a specialist in IP law.

 

Before entering the law, Paul worked in the corporate world in construction and engineering. 

 

He’s also a patent attorney, who has previously co-founded and managed an IP firm, became the director of another, and later served as the CEO of a large human services agency.

 

He is co-author of the book Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics.

 

Paul also completed seminary at Mercer University, where he developed a holistic approach to his practice.

 

Paul holds many other roles, including with the State Bar of Georgia in its wellness and lawyer assistance programs.

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Show notes:

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• [2:19] Paul explains his family background including his mother's Cuban immigrant roots and why he is not anti-capitalist.   

• [5:20] The purpose of Better Capitalism is to get upstream and influence the theology and philosophies of business leaders.

• [8:35] Paul details some of the book's practical solutions for businesses to move towards a mutuality mindset.  

• [13:01] The same narrow thinking of maximising profits play out in law firms too.

• [15:23] Paul explains tells the story of where the expression 'plantation economics' comes from, as used in the book.

• [19:31] Viewing lawyers as 'fungible billing units' undermines the nobility and service element of the profession.

• [22:59] Paul discusses how the billable hour model came to be and some practical alternatives. 

• [30:00] Paul's view is that government must contribute to the solution and be measured by the happiness of the people .

• [35:41] Better Capitalism aims to step upstream and find solutions at the root of the problems, which means changing mindsets. 

• [40:51] The work of changing mindsets has a spiritual and theological element to it.

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Links:

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Paul's Bio at Stanton Law PLLC: 

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Better Capitalism: Jesus, Adam Smith, Ayn Rand, and MLK Jr. on Moving from Plantation to Partnership Economics by Paul Knowlton and Aaron Hedges, at Amazon.

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The Shareholder Value Myth: How Putting Shareholders First Harms Investors, Corporations, and the Public by Lynn Stout, at Amazon

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