Law Office of Paul A. Speigel

1990-92: HITACHI AMERICA LTD., Brisbane, California
Associate corporate counsel - drafted and negotiated technology licensing and development agreements, joint ventures, product sales agreements, joint venture agreements, leases, provided consultations on corporate strategy

1986-87: MASUNAGA, NAGASHIMA & HASHIMOTO, Tokyo, Japan
International commercial representation of Japanese clientele, corporate, intellectual property, licensing, computer and technology issues, international joint ventures, immigration.

1985-86: COUDERT BROTHERS, San Francisco, California
U.S. commercial representation of international clientele, corporate, acquisitions, intellectual property, licensing, real property, hotel management, labor law.

1984: LILLICK & CHARLES, San Francisco, California
Insurance defense litigation, preparation of pleadings and memoranda, interview and deposition of witnesses, general research, attention to French automotive and aerospace clients.

1982: SHEARMAN & STERLING, New York, New York
Summer Associate, Real Estate and Corporate groups.

1978: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C.
Legislative Assistant, Government Activities & Transportation Subcommittee.

In college, I lived in the International Resident Home, where I spoke several languages, I traveled extensively, and lived and worked abroad. This has given me a broad cultural understanding. I also trained as an actor in my youth and these theater skills that I acquired allow me to think quickly on my feet and respond rapidly in a situation.

In addition, I spent a year at Harvard Law School as an exchange student from Berkeley and made the Dean's List. This taught me not to be intimidated by people with seemingly greater credentials, because when you're good you're good; that's all there is to it.

I am able to help an unusual clientele integrate remarkable ideas into an often regimented and stratified business world. I help the unusual to achieve the extraordinary in a world that is not always meant for these things.

My style is unique, eclectic, and out of the ordinary. Like in the old Macintosh ads, I am the lawyer for the rest of us.

I am general counsel for Play Faire Productions, Inc., the production company which formed the country's first and only participant-owned and operated Renaissance Fair, and I perform at the Northern California Renaissance Fair<