Arnold Spencer

Managing Partner

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Attorney Arnold Spencer is a highly skilled and knowledgeable lawyer who has been handling cases involving white collar crimes, asset forfeiture, and related issues for over 28 years. He graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 1994, and in the years since then, he has built experience as a trial lawyer and gained a reputation as a strong litigator. He served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Texas, where he prosecuted more than 100 federal cases, and he has also provided representation as a defense attorney in a large number of cases involving white collar crimes. He received the John Marshall Award from the U.S. Department of Justice and was recognized with a courage and valor award from the Securities and Exchange Commission. With his understanding of state and federal laws and regulations related to financial crimes and other offenses, he can provide strong representation for those who need to defend against asset forfeiture.

Areas Of Practice

• Civil Asset Forfeiture
• Criminal Asset Forfeiture

Bar Admissions

• Texas, 1994
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1995
• U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas, 1994
• U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1995

Education

• The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, Texas
• J.D. - 1994
• Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts
• B.A. - 1988
• Honors: cum laude
• Honors: With High Distinction
• Honors: With High Honors
• Major: Economics
• Major: English

Honors and Awards

• Super Lawyers, 2020-Present
• Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2007
• John Marshall Award, Department of Justice
• Securities & Exchange Commission, Courage and Valor Award

Published Works

• International White Collar Enforcement: Leading Lawyers on Preventive Measures, Regulatory Compliance, Aspatore Books, 2015

Representative Cases

• United States v. Tarnawa, 4:03-cr-0144-1 (E.D. Tex.) affd, 182 Fed. Appx. 294, 2006 WL 1307537, cert denied, 549 U.S. 1012 (EDTx 2006)
• United States v. Fairley, (N.D. Miss.), rev’d in part, 880 F.3d 198 (5th Cir. 2018)
• United States ex rel. Harman v. Trinity Industries, U.S. ex rel. Harman v. Trinity Industries, Inc. (5th Cir. 2017)

Classes/Seminars

• Cryptocurrency Regulations, New York Federal Reserve, 11/01/2018 to Present
• Emerging Regulations for Digital Currency Companies, Texas Bankers Association, 04/01/2018 to Present
• SEC Regulations of Cryptocurrencies, Dallas Bar Association, 05/01/2018 to Present

Past Employment Positions

• United States Attorney's Office, Eastern Texas, Chief, Criminal Division, 2006 to 2010
• United States Attorney's Office, Eastern Texas, Asst. U.S. Attorney, 2000 to 2010