Education: University of Maryland School of Law (JD); State University of New York, College at Plattsburgh (BA).
Admitted to California, Massachusetts and Maryland bars; US Federal District Courts in Northern District CA, Massachusetts, and Maryland; US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit.
Spencer is an award-winning attorney, representing a wide range of small businesses, social entrepreneurs, non-profits, and individuals. As his client’s trusted legal advisor and counselor, he works with his clients on matters such as business structural planning and formation, governance, mergers, drafting and negotiation of agreements, employment matters, IP licensing, copyright and trademark IP prosecution and defense, media and entertainment business affairs matters, wine, beer, and alcohol laws and licensing, and trust and estate matters. Collaborating with other attorneys and professionals, and able to bridge legal specialties, Spencer strives to provide his clients with sophisticated advice, helping them succeed in business, and solve their problems in a thoughtful and cost-effective manner. Spencer has a proud reputation of being a part of the community, and giving back through his pro-bono work.
Awards
Peabody Award for Legal Services to The DNA Files
Current Pro Bono
President, SoundVision Productions, Inc. www.soundvisionproductions.org
President, PTA - Miraloma Elementary School (SFUSD) www.miralomasf.com
Board Member, We Care Solar, Inc., www.wecaresolar.com
Board Member, Mobius Performing Arts, Inc. www.mobiustrio.com
National Advisory Board member, MediaRites Productions www.mediarites.org
Pro bono attorney, AIDS Legal Referral Panel. www.alrp.org
Legal Mentor, University of San Francisco School of Law, LLM program.
Past Pro Bono
Board Member, Straight Ahead Pictures, Inc.
Board Member, Association of Independents in Radio (AIR).
Board Member, Arms Public Library Association.
Publications
Contributing Editor, “How to Organize (Just About) Everything”; authored Prepare for the Bar Exam, (Free Press 2005); The Law and the Independent Radio Producer, RadioCollege.Org - Feb. 14, 2000; Imagine 2000 and Beyond: Predictions for the New Millennium” The Age of Ideas” – Immagine News Magazine, January 2000; Ask the Lawyer - Music Licensing on the Web: AIRSpace November/December 1999; Licensing for the New Millennium: The Shameless Complexities of the DMCA, Immagine News Magazine, November 1999 Ask the Lawyer- Fair Use, AirSpace, March/April 1998; Ask the Lawyer- Music Licensing, AirSpace May/June 1998
On-air radio credits
Blacklisted: Associate Producer. Audio drama distributed by NPR, PRI and internationally.
Beyond Affliction: Associate Producer. Documentary distributed by NPR.
Lost & Found Sound: Legal Affairs. Documentaries heard on NPR’s All Things Considered.
The DNA Files: Legal Services. Documentary exploring the science of genetics, distributed by NPR.