Paul Cambria

Paul Cambria

One of America's most prominent criminal defense lawyers, Paul Cambria is primarily associated with his work representing members of the adult entertainment industry. When he first entered the law industry, his primary practice consisted of criminal defense. His association with Hustler publisher Larry Flynt began in 1974, when the two first met. In 1976, Paul Cambria successfully co-defended Screw magazine publisher Al Goldstein in an obscenity trial in Kansas, garnering attention for his work.

The following year, Paul Cambria represent Flynt's younger brother Jimmy during a trial concerning charges of "pandering, obscenity and organized crime." Larry was represented by another lawyer and was convicted, but Jimmy was found innocent. Impressed, their association was solidified the following year when, during a trial recess, Flynt was shot in an assassination attempt that left him paralyzed and Paul Cambria kept his wife company until Flynt stabilized. Paul Cambria has been Flynt's counsel since that period.

Another high-profile client was shock rocker Marilyn Manson, who was charged in a 1997 article published by the American Family Association of encouraging violent and sexual acts at his concerts. In response, Paul Cambria sent a cease and desist letter regarding these potentially defamatory statements.

Throughout the 2000 election, Paul Cambria endorsed and advocated the Democratic candidate, Al Gore, in part because of concerns that a Republican president would launch legal attacks on the pornography industry. In the wake of the election of George W. Bush, Paul Cambria held a meeting with adult entertainment industry figures to create guidelines for the types of images which should not be used on adult entertainment video covers. However, over time the exact recommendations of the list have become distorted with wider circulation, containing many items Paul Cambria says he did not recommend.