Experienced Employee Benefits, ERISA Lawyer Craig Spenner Joins Armstrong Teasdale

Armstrong Teasdale announces the addition of Corporate Services Partner Craig W. Spenner to the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation practice. He has more than 20 years of experience advising a wide range of clients on ERISA and executive compensation issues, including ERISA plan asset rules, the prohibited transaction rules and exemptions, corporate transactions, compensation plans, and employment and separation agreements.

Spenner, who presented at Armstrong Teasdale’s Jan. 23 Employment and Labor Webinar, joins the firm in New York before relocating to the St. Louis office later this year.

“Craig joins us at a pivotal time as broker-dealers and asset managers are facing the latest iteration of the Department of Labor’s attempts to expand the definition of what is a fiduciary,” said Partner A. Valerie Mirko, leader of the firm’s Securities Regulation and Litigation practice. “Further growing our ERISA capabilities right now allows us to expand our offerings for our clients in the financial services industry.”

“Craig is among a number of sophisticated lateral attorneys who have joined us from Am Law 50 firms in recent years,” said Managing Partner Richard W. Engel, Jr. “Armstrong Teasdale remains a place where top lawyers can continue to grow their business and deliver high-quality work product. Our ability to anticipate our clients’ most pressing business and legal concerns, and collaborate to generate innovative solutions and strategies, ultimately gives our clients a competitive edge.”

Spenner provides counsel to plan sponsors across industries while also advising domestic and international investment managers and fund clients on fiduciary issues arising in connection with the investment of employee benefit plan assets, including advising on the “25% test,” venture capital operating company and real estate operating company issues, and other issues related to ERISA plan asset regulations. His extensive experience includes the following:

• U.S. Corporate Pension Plans: advising on ERISA Title I issues and prohibited transaction issues in connection with various investments and side letter negotiations.
• U.S. Asset Managers and Broker-Dealers: advising on various ERISA Title I issues, prohibited transaction exemptions and fiduciary responsibilities in connection with various transactions.
• Executive Compensation: advising numerous U.S. and non-U.S. companies on U.S. compensation arrangements, agreements and plans.
• Capital Markets: advising on ERISA Title I and Title IV issues in various credit agreements, securities offerings, ISDAs and other related arrangements.
• Private Funds: advising on ERISA Title I issues in connection with structuring and operating the fund and various fund vehicles.

In addition, Spenner advises clients on issues related to Form 5500 filings and 408(b)(2) disclosure.

“Craig brings more than 20 years of employee benefits and ERISA experience at global law firms,” said Partner and Corporate Service Practice Group Leader Jennifer R. Byrne. “We are delighted to expand our existing employee benefits and ERISA practices with his deep knowledge and experience. With Craig’s guidance, our public and private company clients can more efficiently navigate complex and emerging regulatory and compliance issues to achieve their business goals.”