Crystal Banse

About

Employment and labor law operate at the crossroads of business strategy and legal risk, and that’s where I excel. Based in New York, I represent both employers and executives, offering practical guidance throughout all stages of employment: workforce policies and compliance, separation and severance, and the high-stakes contract negotiations that shape the beginning and end of senior roles. My clients include founders and operators of closely held businesses, startups, and growing companies building their employment infrastructure, and senior executives across industries, including financial services, professional services, technology, and real estate, navigating offer letters, equity arrangements, and exits. I help businesses get ahead of liability, and executives get what they've earned. Over the past 15 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 sharpened my ability to identify risks early and communicate clearly under pressure. I bring that same precision here, helping businesses create compliant, defensible frameworks 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 the entire employment lifecycle — workforce compliance, employment agreements, policy development, separations, and executive compensation. When employment disputes arise, I work with employers through every stage of the process. 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