Bonnie E. Spencer
Principal
About Me
Bonnie E. Spencer is the Principal and Founder of The Spencer Law Firm, where she has represented businesses, investors, broker-dealers, and individuals in complex legal matters for more than 45 years.
Since her admission to the State Bar of Texas in 1980, she has built a distinguished practice focused on securities law, corporate transactions, complex commercial litigation, regulatory enforcement, and business disputes. Known for combining legal strategy with financial insight, Ms. Spencer advises clients on matters ranging from capital formation and SEC compliance to shareholder disputes, fraud recovery, and high-stakes litigation.
A triple-degree graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans, Ms. Spencer brings an exceptionally rare combination of legal acumen and financial expertise to every matter she handles. Throughout her career, she has served as lead counsel in complex class actions, False Claims Act litigation, securities arbitrations, and multijurisdictional business disputes, earning recognition as one of Texas' most accomplished business and securities attorneys. She is admitted to practice before the State Bar of Texas, multiple U.S. District Courts, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware.
Education
Juris Doctor, Loyola University School of Law
Master of Business Administration, Loyola University College of Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration in Banking and Finance, Loyola University College of Business Administration
Magna Cum Laude
Class Rank: 6th
Practice Areas
Securities Law
Private & Public Capital Formation
Securities Litigation
FINRA Arbitration
SEC & State Regulatory Compliance
Broker-Dealer Representation
Investor Fraud Recovery
Corporate & Business Law
Mergers & Acquisitions
Corporate Governance
Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Board Governance
Commercial Contracts
Employment Disputes
Antitrust Matters
Complex Litigation & Regulatory Defense
Complex Commercial Litigation
Class Actions
False Claims Act Litigation
Civil RICO Litigation
Multi-Plaintiff Arbitrations
Criminal Regulatory Defense
SEC, DOJ & IRS Investigations
Wells Submissions
White-Collar Defense
Licenses
State Bar of Texas (Bar No. 06366100)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
State Bar of Texas (Bar No. 06366100)
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware
Representative Matters & Notable Results
False Claims Act Case, $187M
Served as lead counsel in a False Claims Act matter accepted by the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education, resulting in a federal request for disgorgement of $187 million.
International Capital Formation, $75M
Negotiated a concurrent $75 million NASDAQ/Bolsa Valores international securities offering, working with Wall Street underwriters on a complex dual-exchange capital formation.
Multi-Plaintiff Securities Recovery, $2.2M
Recovered $2,235,784 in a multi-plaintiff securities arbitration, with the arbitration panel holding the company's CEO personally liable for a portion of the award.
$500K Age & Disability Discrimination Settlement
Secured a $500,000 settlement in a combined age and disability discrimination lawsuit against a Fortune 500 company.
Historic First in Texas Securities Law
Became the first woman in Texas appointed lead counsel in a federal securities class action, marking a significant milestone in complex securities litigation.
Delaware Supreme Court Partnership Representation
Successfully represented minority partners in a multibillion-dollar partnership dispute that proceeded to the Delaware Supreme Court.
Landmark Punitive Damages Award, 1997
Obtained a landmark arbitration award involving one of the largest punitive damages awards for emotional anguish in complex bifurcated securities proceedings in Texas.
International Fugitive Resolution
Successfully negotiated the return of an international fugitive and obtained a favorable plea resolution in a matter involving the U.S. Department of Justice, IRS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and securities regulators.
USA Today Feature
Featured in USA Today for work highlighting securities industry self-regulatory issues and investor advocacy.
Professional Leadership & Affiliations
Board & Chair Positions
Houston Women's Business Council
Certification Committee Chair
By-Laws Chair
Women's Business Enterprise Council
Board Member
National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
Delegate to the Federation of Houston Professional Women
Business Owner of the Year Nominee
Professional Associations
Houston Bar Association
Harris County Bar Association
State Bar of Texas
Media Recognition
Featured in USA Today on abuses in the securities industry’s self-regulation and effects on individual investors
Won landmark 1997 case, one of the largest arbitration punitive damages awards for emotional anguish in complex bifurcated federal and arbitration proceedings