Robert E. Spiel, Jr., president of Robert E. Spiel Associates, L.L.C., received his bachelor's degree in history, with a concentration in art history, from Yale University, and his Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law. He then embarked upon a 20-year career as a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. In his FBI service, he specialized in national and international investigations of art fraud and the theft of art and other collectors' items, including the loss and recovery of three Paul Cezanne paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago. His work led to six commendations from the Director of the FBI, and numerous commendations from museums and collectors whose works he recovered.
Mr. Spiel's FBI training in security measures and investigations has been enhanced through these special assignments. Intimate knowledge of the details of hundreds of cases has given him an unusually thorough understanding of criminal methods in art theft, and in forgery detection, documentation, and successful protection methods and procedures.
Robert E. Spiel Associates was formed in 1988 to offer Mr. Spiel's unique expertise to galleries, dealers, appraisers, museums, and corporate and private collectors. As needed, Mr. Spiel calls on an extensive network of the experts he has come to know and trust throughout his career, including other security consultants, private investigators, insurance professionals, art and collectibles historians, and attorneys.
His professional memberships include the American Society for Industrial Security, which has granted him the professional status of Certified Protection Professional (CPP). He is also a full member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants, which verifies that its members are qualified security experts who are not affiliated with the sale of security devices or protection services. This commercial freedom permits the recommendation of any appropriate devices or services, as warranted. Mr. Spiel is also a life member of The Art Institute of Chicago, and a member of The Arts Club of Chicago.