Paul Edward Plunkett (born 1935) is a United States federal judge.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Plunkett received a B.A. from Harvard University in 1957 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1960. He was in private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1960 to 1963. He was an assistant U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Illinois from 1963 to 1966. He was in private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1966 to 1983. He was an Adjunct professor, John Marshall Law School from 1963 to 1976. He was an Adjunct professor, Loyola University, Chicago, School of Law from 1977 to 1982. He was an Adjunct professor, John Marshall Law School from 1982 to the present.
Plunkett was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Plunkett was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on November 23, 1982, to a seat vacated by James B. Parsons. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 10, 1982, and received his commission the same day. He assumed senior status on July 10, 1998.