About
Liam J Penwell is a California-licensed attorney 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
Background
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:
- Serving as lead counsel in federal administrative proceedings, with a favorable decision in every matter that proceeded to decision on the merits
- Advising on regulatory compliance across U.S. and international frameworks, including SEC regulations, GDPR, AML/KYC, and anti-corruption controls, in connection with multi-billion-dollar investment transactions
- Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, licensing terms, SaaS and platform provisions, and founder/governance documents for technology and creative businesses
- Counseling clients on intellectual property protection, content rights, trademark strategy, and enforcement exposure
- Representing clients in contract disputes, regulatory matters, and commercial negotiations
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
How I Can Help
Technology Transactions and Commercial Agreements
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.
Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Trademark
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.
Music, Entertainment, and Media Law
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.
Business Formation, Startups, and Founder Issues
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 Compliance and Risk
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.
Disputes, Litigation, and Enforcement
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 matters do require litigation, injunctive relief, or formal proceedings, I handle select matters directly and bring in additional counsel as needed for cases that demand expanded teams or specialized expertise. The goal is always resolution, but opposing parties should understand that my correspondence carries the full weight of follow-through.
Education & Credentials
- J.D., Northwestern California University School of Law
- California State Bar
- Pyramind Institute of Digital Audio
Get in Touch
Contact
Available for consultations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally.
Inquiries