LOS ANGELES — After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.
His firm, Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP, issued a statement:
"It is with great respect and a heavy heart that Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria LLP announces that, after over fifty years of incredible partnership, exceptional leadership, unsurpassed legal excellence and great respect, Paul J. Cambria, Jr., Esq. has retired from the firm.
"For decades, Paul has been a pillar of our firm and, indeed, the local and national legal community. He has been a trusted advocate for countless national and local clients, as well as a local philanthropist. His wisdom, intelligence, integrity, and dedication have shaped not only our firm’s success but also the broader legal community and the law itself.
"Our firm expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Paul for his unwavering commitment, mentorship, friendship, and visionary leadership. We extend our warmest wishes as he embarks upon a well-deserved retirement."
Cambria, 78, attended SUNY-Fredonia before earning his law degree in 1973 from University of Toledo, where he reportedly graduated first in his class. He went on to argue several cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including that of Hustler Magazine publisher Larry Flynt.
When the government came after Flynt for allegedly violating obscenity laws, the magazine mogul turned to Cambria and his fellow First Amendment expert Herald Fahringer, who had just successfully defended Al Goldstein and Screw magazine.
"There was something about the guy that just clicked with me,” said Cambria, who flew with Fahringer to Cincinnati to meet with Flynt without so much as a retainer.
Cambria successfully defended Evil Angel founder John Stagliano when the government charged him with breaking obscenity laws — a case that was ultimately dismissed. More recently, in a first-of-its-kind prosecution of website owners for operating a platform for third-party speech posted to a website, Cambria successfully defended former Backpage co-owner Michael Lacey on dozens of federal charges.
Additionally, Cambria defended musicians Marilyn Manson and DMX on obscenity charges, as he was considered one of the preeminent authorities on First Amendment law.
The well-regarded attorney has previously served as chair of the New York State Bar Association's criminal justice division, as well as president of the New York State Criminal Defense Lawyers' Association and president of the First Amendment Lawyers Association. Besides New York, he is also a member of the bar in California, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
XBIZ profiled Cambria in 2013. To read that piece, click here.
