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, I represent both employers and executives, providing practical guidance at every stage of building and managing a U.S. workforce, including policies and compliance, worker classification, separation and severance, high-stakes contract negotiations that shape the start and end of senior roles, and litigation when disputes can’t be resolved without going to 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 industries, including financial services, professional services, technology, and real estate, who are navigating offer letters, equity arrangements, and exits. I help businesses get ahead of liability and help executives get what they’ve earned. Over the past 16 years, I have served as an Assistant Attorney General, a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army JAG Corps, and the founder of my own litigation and advisory firm. This experience has sharpened my ability to identify risks early and communicate clearly under pressure. I bring that same precision here, helping businesses build compliant, defensible employment practices and assisting executives in understanding and negotiating the terms that govern their careers. Beyond employment, I also serve as outside counsel to founders and independently operated businesses on contracts, governance, compliance, and risk management. I work efficiently, communicate directly, and prioritize practical outcomes over unnecessary processes. My clients consistently recognize my ability to cut through complexity and deliver clarity when the stakes are highest.

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