Attorney at Law
About
Liam J Penwell is a California-licensed attorney (State Bar No. 339157) whose practice spans technology transactions, intellectual property, business law, entertainment and music law, regulatory compliance, and commercial strategy. He represents founders, businesses, and creative professionals across the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally.
Legal Experience
Liam has practiced across multiple legal environments, including private practice, federal administrative proceedings, and in-house compliance for a global SEC-registered investment adviser. His experience includes:
Prior to practicing law, Liam spent nearly two decades as the founder and operator of Diamond Sonic, an audiovisual production company and professional recording studio in San Francisco. He produced events and managed commercial relationships for clients including Google, Uber, LinkedIn, Salesforce, and Coachella, working extensively across the music, entertainment, nightlife, and technology industries. That operational background informs every engagement: he understands the business context his clients operate in, not just the legal framework.
Practice Areas
Contracts are where deals live or die. I draft, review, and negotiate SaaS agreements, licensing terms, vendor contracts, platform provisions, and commercial terms for technology and digital businesses. Whether you're closing a partnership, onboarding a vendor, or launching a product, I make sure the paperwork protects you and the deal gets done.
Your creative work and brand identity are business assets. I advise on copyright protection, trademark registration and enforcement, content licensing, permitted use, and IP strategy for businesses and individuals in technology, music, media, and entertainment. If someone is using your work without permission, or if you've received a claim, I handle that too.
I've spent nearly two decades in the music and entertainment industry as a producer, studio owner, and event operator before becoming an attorney. I advise artists, labels, venues, promoters, and creative businesses on recording and publishing agreements, performance contracts, licensing, royalty structures, and rights management. This is not a side practice for me. It's where I come from.
Starting a business means making legal decisions that will follow you for years. I help founders choose the right entity structure, draft operating agreements and bylaws, establish governance frameworks, and put founder agreements in place that anticipate what happens when things go well and when they don't. I also handle ongoing business counsel as companies grow.
Regulatory exposure can be invisible until it isn't. I advise on compliance strategy across federal and state frameworks, including securities-adjacent matters, data privacy, AI governance, and industry-specific licensing and reporting obligations. My background includes in-house compliance work for a global SEC-registered investment adviser, where I supported multi-billion-dollar transactions across U.S. and international regulatory regimes.
Not every dispute needs a courtroom, and most shouldn't get there. I draft demand letters, cease and desist notices, and enforcement correspondence designed to resolve disputes efficiently and on favorable terms. I advise on negotiation strategy, escalation paths, and the full range of enforcement options available when the other side isn't performing. When disputes require formal proceedings, I work with experienced litigation counsel to ensure a seamless transition and continuity of strategy.
Education & Credentials
Get in Touch
Available for consultations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally.