Crystal Banse

About

Employment and labor law sit at the intersection of business strategy and legal risk, and that’s where I excel. Based in New York City, I represent employers and executives throughout the employment lifecycle, including policies and compliance, worker classification, separation and severance, high-stakes contract negotiations, and litigation when disputes can’t be resolved outside of court. My clients include founders and operators of closely held businesses, startups, growing companies, and international businesses with U.S. operations, as well as senior executives across financial services, professional services, technology, real estate, and other industries. I help businesses get ahead of liability and help executives get what they’ve earned. Over the past 16 years, I’ve served as an Assistant Attorney General, a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and the founder of my litigation and advisory firm. That experience has sharpened my ability to identify risks early, communicate clearly under pressure, and help clients make practical decisions when the stakes are high. Beyond employment, I serve as outside counsel to founders and independently operated businesses on contracts, governance, compliance, and risk management. I focus on providing clients with clear, practical advice they can use to make decisions and move forward. I recently affiliated my practice with Spencer West, an international law firm with more than 360 partners across 25+ jurisdictions. This affiliation broadens the work I can take on while preserving the independence and direct client relationships central to my practice. When a matter requires additional expertise or support in another jurisdiction, I can draw on experienced colleagues worldwide, providing clients with the resources and reach of a larger firm and the close, personal approach of a boutique practice.

Practice Areas

Services

• Employment & Business Counsel

  I advise employers, executives, and businesses on workforce compliance, worker classification, employment and contractor agreements, policy development, separations, and executive compensation. When employment disputes arise, I represent employers at every stage, including dispute resolution and, when necessary, litigation defense. Beyond employment, I serve as outside counsel on contracts, governance, and risk management, helping owners protect their operations and grow with confidence.
  Contact

Work

• 
  Corporate/Tax Staff Attorney

  Lowenstein Sandler

  Jul 2023 - Aug 2024
• Founder and Managing Attorney

  Banse Law LLC

  Jan 2017 - Jun 2023
• 
  Judge Advocate | Regional Special Victims' Counsel

  National Guard Bureau Office of the General Counsel

  Feb 2014 - Sep 2016

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School
  Juris Doctor
• University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
  Bachelor of Business Administration