Daniel Mark Siegel
Encyclopedia
Daniel Mark Siegel, or Dan Siegel, is a civil-rights attorney at the Oakland-based law firm, Siegel & Yee.
Siegel was born and raised in New York City
and on Long Island
. He attended high school in New York, graduating second in his class. He attended Hamilton College (New York) in 1963-1967 majoring in Philosophy and Religion; he received his B.A. degree there in 1967, graduating magna cum laude.
Siegel was a student activist in 1967-1970 while he attended the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
. He was also a leader in the local Students for a Democratic Society
. As UC Berkeley Student President-Elect in 1969, Siegel is known for his role in the student rebellion on "Bloody Thursday," when thousands of students clashed with hundreds of California Highway Patrol
officers and Alameda County sheriff's deputies sent by the office of then-California governor Ronald Reagan
to assert control over a piece of property known as "People's Park
." During a rally on Sproul Plaza
on that day, May 15, 1969, Siegel received the microphone as the crowd of 3,000 agitated to reclaim their community space, and when he yelled "Take the park!" a riot ensued that ended with authorities firing at demonstrators, killing one.
He received his J.D.
degree from the University of California School of Law in 1970. He passed the California bar examination
, but was denied a license to practice law by a subcommittee of the State Bar of California
. Siegel took his appeal to the California Supreme Court, which overruled the State Bar and found that Siegel possessed the requisite "moral character" to practice law.
According to KeyWiki
's article on Siegel, Siegel was a founder of the New American Movement
(a Marxist organization) and is listed among "former fellows, project co-ordinators and staff" of the Institute for Policy Studies
.
Today, Siegel is a civil rights attorney at the Oakland-based law firm, Siegel & Yee. In recent years, he has won a series of high-profile sexual harassment
and employment discrimination
lawsuits, and has represented clients such as the National Union of Healthcare Workers
. He has served as both general counsel and Interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Radio Foundation
, and has currently serves as a director on both the Pacifica National Board and the Local Station Board of KPFA-FM
in Berkeley. In 2006 he completed an eight-year tenure on the Oakland Unified School District
Board of Directors.
Siegel, a long-time friend of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan
, served as her legal adviser until November 14, 2011, when he resigned in protest. Siegel subsequently announced, via Twitter: "No longer Mayor Quan's legal advisor. Resigned at 2 am. Support Occupy Oakland
, not the 1% and its government facilitators."
The San Francisco Chronicle
described Siegel as "one of Oakland's most active and vocal police critics".
Siegel and his wife, Anne Butterfield Weills, have lived in Oakland since 1977. Weills is an attorney who is listed "of counsel" at Siegel & Yee. Weills has two sons and a grandson. Her younger son, Michael Siegel, graduated from Skyline High School
in 1995 and is an associate attorney with Siegel & Yee. Before becoming an attorney, Michael was a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District
.
Anne Butterfield Weills (b. March 14, 1942) is the second child of John C.S. Weills III and Audrey Davis. Weills married journalist Robert Scheer
in 1965; they later divorced. Weills' older son is Christopher Weills Scheer
(b. September 8, 1968).
Siegel was born and raised in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and on Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
. He attended high school in New York, graduating second in his class. He attended Hamilton College (New York) in 1963-1967 majoring in Philosophy and Religion; he received his B.A. degree there in 1967, graduating magna cum laude.
Siegel was a student activist in 1967-1970 while he attended the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
UC Berkeley School of Law
The University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, commonly referred to as Berkeley Law and Boalt Hall, is one of 14 schools and colleges at the University of California, Berkeley. Berkeley Law is consistently regarded as an elite and prestigious law school...
. He was also a leader in the local Students for a Democratic Society
Students for a Democratic Society (1960 organization)
Students for a Democratic Society was a student activist movement in the United States that was one of the main iconic representations of the country's New Left. The organization developed and expanded rapidly in the mid-1960s before dissolving at its last convention in 1969...
. As UC Berkeley Student President-Elect in 1969, Siegel is known for his role in the student rebellion on "Bloody Thursday," when thousands of students clashed with hundreds of California Highway Patrol
California Highway Patrol
The California Highway Patrol is a law enforcement agency of the U.S. state of California. The CHP has patrol jurisdiction over all California highways and also acts as the state police....
officers and Alameda County sheriff's deputies sent by the office of then-California governor Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to assert control over a piece of property known as "People's Park
People's Park (Berkeley)
People's Park in Berkeley, California, USA, is a park off Telegraph Avenue, bounded by Haste and Bowditch streets and Dwight Way, near the University of California, Berkeley. The park was created during the radical political activism of the late 1960s....
." During a rally on Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza
Sproul Plaza is a major center of student activity at the University of California, Berkeley. It is divided into two sections: Upper Sproul and Lower Sproul. They are separated by 12 vertical feet and a set of stairs.-History:...
on that day, May 15, 1969, Siegel received the microphone as the crowd of 3,000 agitated to reclaim their community space, and when he yelled "Take the park!" a riot ensued that ended with authorities firing at demonstrators, killing one.
He received his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree from the University of California School of Law in 1970. He passed the California bar examination
Bar examination
A bar examination is an examination conducted at regular intervals to determine whether a candidate is qualified to practice law in a given jurisdiction.-Brazil:...
, but was denied a license to practice law by a subcommittee of the State Bar of California
State Bar of California
The State Bar of California is California's official bar association. It is responsible for managing the admission of lawyers to the practice of law, investigating complaints of professional misconduct, and prescribing appropriate discipline...
. Siegel took his appeal to the California Supreme Court, which overruled the State Bar and found that Siegel possessed the requisite "moral character" to practice law.
According to KeyWiki
Trevor Loudon
Trevor Loudon is a New Zealand political activist who was vice president of the ACT New Zealand Party from 2006 to 2008. He has been involved in politics in Christchurch for many years, most notably the Campaign for a Soviet Free New Zealand a group which published dossiers on people involved in...
's article on Siegel, Siegel was a founder of the New American Movement
New American Movement
The New American Movement was founded in 1971 by a group of leaders of opposition to the Vietnam War to serve as a forum for discussing where and how to redirect their activities. The call to convene was issued by Michael Lerner...
(a Marxist organization) and is listed among "former fellows, project co-ordinators and staff" of the Institute for Policy Studies
Institute for Policy Studies
Institute for Policy Studies is a left-wing think tank based in Washington, D.C..It has been directed by John Cavanagh since 1998- History :...
.
Today, Siegel is a civil rights attorney at the Oakland-based law firm, Siegel & Yee. In recent years, he has won a series of high-profile sexual harassment
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment, is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors. In some contexts or circumstances, sexual harassment is illegal. It includes a range of behavior from seemingly mild transgressions and...
and employment discrimination
Employment discrimination
Employment discrimination is discrimination in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, and compensation. It includes various types of harassment....
lawsuits, and has represented clients such as the National Union of Healthcare Workers
National Union of Healthcare Workers
National Union of Healthcare Workers is an independent labor union based in Oakland, California. It was formed after a split with the SEIU United Healthcare Workers West...
. He has served as both general counsel and Interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Radio Foundation
Pacifica Radio
Pacifica Radio is the oldest public radio network in the United States. It is a group of five independently operated, non-commercial, listener-supported radio stations that is known for its progressive/liberal political orientation. It is also a program service supplying over 100 affiliated...
, and has currently serves as a director on both the Pacifica National Board and the Local Station Board of KPFA-FM
KPFA
KPFA is a listener-funded progressive talk radio and music radio station located in Berkeley, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KPFA airs public news, public affairs, talk, and music programming. The station signed on-the-air April 15 1949, as the first Pacifica Station...
in Berkeley. In 2006 he completed an eight-year tenure on the Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District is a public education school district which operates elementary schools , middle schools , and high schools in Oakland, California.-History:...
Board of Directors.
Siegel, a long-time friend of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan
Jean Quan
Jean Quan is the Democratic mayor of Oakland, California. She previously served as City Council member for Oakland's 4th District...
, served as her legal adviser until November 14, 2011, when he resigned in protest. Siegel subsequently announced, via Twitter: "No longer Mayor Quan's legal advisor. Resigned at 2 am. Support Occupy Oakland
Occupy Oakland
Occupy Oakland is a series of demonstrations including the occupation of public spaces that began in downtown Oakland at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall in Oakland, California on October 10, 2011. It is allied with the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City and is one of...
, not the 1% and its government facilitators."
The San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
described Siegel as "one of Oakland's most active and vocal police critics".
Siegel and his wife, Anne Butterfield Weills, have lived in Oakland since 1977. Weills is an attorney who is listed "of counsel" at Siegel & Yee. Weills has two sons and a grandson. Her younger son, Michael Siegel, graduated from Skyline High School
Skyline High School (Oakland, California)
Skyline High School is a public high school in Oakland, California. It is noted for its strong academics and athletic programs, and consistently ranks as the top performing school in the area in terms of standardized testing, SAT scores, college acceptance rates, and matriculation...
in 1995 and is an associate attorney with Siegel & Yee. Before becoming an attorney, Michael was a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District is a public education school district which operates elementary schools , middle schools , and high schools in Oakland, California.-History:...
.
Anne Butterfield Weills (b. March 14, 1942) is the second child of John C.S. Weills III and Audrey Davis. Weills married journalist Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer
Robert Scheer is an American journalist who writes a column for Truthdig which is nationally syndicated by Creators Syndicate in publications such as The Huffington Post and The Nation...
in 1965; they later divorced. Weills' older son is Christopher Weills Scheer
Christopher Scheer
Christopher Scheer is the co-author, with Robert Scheer and Lakshmi Chaudhry, of The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq published in 2003 in the U.S., England and Australia. The book appeared on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list and was a part of the national debate in 2004 about the...
(b. September 8, 1968).