“… He just doesn’t pick some scrub attorney out of the phone book. He goes to Houston, the oil and gas capital of the United States and hires one of the top law firms in Houston for oil and gas securities fraud, the Spencer Law Firm. He hires Troy Aikman to quarterback his team. Troy Aikman.”
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– James A. Pikl, Partner at Scheef & Stone, LLP
Bonnie E. Spencer
Principal
Ms. Spencer has more than 40 years of legal experience practicing as a business, securities, transaction, and litigation attorney in Houston. Among her many achievements is being the first woman assigned to head a class action in securities litigation in the state.
Bonnie E. Spencer is the senior lawyer in the firm. She has been practicing as a business, securities, transaction, and litigation attorney on the Houston legal scene since 1980 and has enjoyed serving her many corporate and individual business clients. She believes that it is an adventure and a challenge for her to find the solution to every legal problem brought to her by our clients.
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Bonnie has long assisted various clients such as individuals who have lost money because of fraud, criminal activity or negligence, broker-dealers needing help to comply with regulatory licensing and compliance, businesses having disagreements with other businesses or investors, individuals with claims against investment firms, SEC, state and FINRA regulatory compliance, capital formation, white collar criminal defense, shareholder, partnership, and member disputes, and internal business administrative, control, and operational difficulties, and other general company and partnership problems of all types.
Education
January 1980
Loyola University
School of Law
New Orleans, Louisiana
Juris Doctor
January 1980
Loyola University
College of Business Administration
New Orleans, Louisiana
M.B.A. Degree
January 1976
Loyola University
College of Business Administration
New Orleans, Louisiana
B.B.A. Degree in Banking and Finance
Magna Cum Laude, Class Rank, 6th
Ashley M. Spencer
Partner
Ashley Spencer has an extensive skill set that encompasses state and federal securities transactions and litigation, regulations and compliance. Ms. Spencer has litigated on behalf of Plaintiffs, defended and represented clients involving investigations and enforcement proceedings with the Texas Securities Board, FINRA and the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. Mrs. Spencer is also adept in oil and gas law, salt water disposal wells, corporate formation, capitalization and development, mergers and acquisitions, private securities, FINRA and SEC enforcement regulatory proceedings and arbitration, compliance, pharmaceutical product liability, real estate, corporate litigation, contract disputes, partnership and company ownership disputes, corporate fraud, white collar crime, copyright infringement, debt collections, probate, trusts and estates and general business law.
After graduating law school in 2010, Ms. Spencer began working with The Spencer Law Firm and became its lead litigation counsel and partner in 2021. As stated above, Ms. Spencer’s docket focuses on securities compliance, civil and regulatory matters, as well as general business litigation, corporate disputes, white collar crime and partnership and shareholder disputes. Mrs. Spencer has represented clients in Texas and Delaware. In 2020, Mrs. Spencer was appointed lead counsel in a partnership dispute involving half a billion-dollars and assisted in its resolution. More recently, in the oil and gas arena, Mrs. Spencer successfully litigated, removed and replaced two operators with ownership interests for two separate salt water disposal wells and successfully settled the associated disputes. Mrs. Spencer focused more than 10 years on a FINRA case which was appealed to the SEC and remanded back to FINRA to reduce sanctions in accord with SEC and FINRA guidelines. Recently, she co-chaired the defense of a copyright infringement case, which was resolved via a confidential settlement where neither side admitted fault.
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Although, Mrs. Spencer has an active business docket, she also advocates for injured people and their families in product liability cases. Mrs. Spencer participated in the transvaginal mesh litigation which resulted in a $20,000,000 award to the plaintiff. She also settled many product liability cases, compensating millions in settlement for her clients and currently leads a team at The Spencer Law Firm for a variety of product liability cases. She is dedicated to zealously representing clients and their families by pursuing justice for those who have been harmed by toxic substances, drugs and defective products. Ms. Spencer has represented hundreds of clients and has obtained millions on their behalf. Her business background brings a different skill set to the product liability litigation arena which assists her in obtaining significant settlements for her clients.
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Prior to working for the Spencer Law Firm, Mrs. Spencer clerked with the Texas Attorney General’s office in the anti-trust division for almost two years.
Notable Litigation
Lead counsel in MCAP Operating Company, LLC v. Justin Brown, James Staples, et. al., Cause No. DC-25-00926, In the 14th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas (2025). Secured a $3 million dollar judgment for oil and gas investment fraud.
Lead counsel in Aster Securities (US), LP et al v. Wilbur Edwin Bosarge Jr., Cause No. 2019-49194 in the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, (2021). Successfully litigated a billion-dollar securities fraud dispute. Opposing Counsel, Akerman, LLP.
Co-counsel in Quantlab Group GP, LLC, Veloce, LP, and Marco, LP, v. Bruce P. Eames, Andrey Omeltchenko, AVG Holdings, LP, and Aster Securities (US) L.P., In the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, C.A. No. 2018-0553-JRS (2021). Represented minority shareholders in a 1.5-billion-dollar private ownership dispute. Opposing counsel: DLA Piper, LLP (US).
Lead counsel in Sabre Investments, LLC, et. al v. Taurus Blue Duck, LLC, et. al, in the District Court of Collin County, Texas, 296 Judicial District, Cause No. 296-03689-2020 (2020). Successfully litigated $8.5 million dollar dispute regarding a fraudulent oil and gas operator for a salt water disposal well operations. Opposing Counsel: Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP.
Lead counsel in Karen Baumgarten, et. al v. Eric Benavides, Individually, et. al., in the District Court of 296th Judicial District, Collin County, Texas Cause No. 296-03688-2020 (2020). Successfully litigated $7.3 million dollar dispute regarding a fraudulent oil and gas operator for a salt water disposal well operations. Opposing Counsel: Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP.
Lead counsel in a FINRA enforcement action in Disciplinary Proceeding No. 2012030731802; Department of Enforcement v. William H. Murphy & Co., Inc. and William H. Murphy, involving public solicitation violations of Rule 506(b). Litigated an enforcement ruling to the 5th Circuit which was remanded back to FINRA requiring FINRA to reduce the sanction in accordance with SEC and FINRA guidelines. Opposing Parties: FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Lead counsel in many cases involved In re: Ethicon Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 2327, In the U.S. District Court of Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division. Secured millions for clients.
Lead counsel in many cases involved In re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation, Cause No. 3:19md2885, In the U.S. District Court of Northern District of Florida Pensacola Division. Secured millions for clients.
Co-counsel in Lifestyles Unlimited, Inc., v. Stephen Davis, Civil Action No. 4:18-cv-2233, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (2021). Successfully litigated a copyright infringement dispute regarding a violation of a permanent injunction threatening to shut down client’s business. Opposing counsel: Snell & Wilmer, LLP.
Co-counsel in Lifestyles Unlimited Inc., v. Stephen Davis, Charly Varghese, Real Wealth Academy, LLC, Civil Action No. 4:20-cv-01389, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (2020). Successfully litigated a copyright infringement dispute regarding an estimated one million in alleged damages against client’s business. Opposing counsel: Snell & Wilmer, LLP.
Co-counsel in Van Mabee as Trustee of the Van Mabee Trust No. 3 v. Mabee Ranch Royalty Partnership, LP; Mabee Ranch Royalty Management, LLC, and John W. Mabee, Cause No. CV56476, In the 318th District Court of Midland County, Texas (2022). Successfully litigated a dispute regarding alleged $20 million in damages. Opposing counsels: Davis, Gerald, & Cremer; Rickey J. Brantley; Jackson Walker, LLP; The Hartnett Law Firm.
Co-counsel in Big Rig Investments, LLC, et al. v. First American Oil Company, Inc., Cause No. 2015-08477, in the 281st Judicial District of Harris County, Texas (2015). Successfully litigated $2.5 million dollar oil and gas investment dispute.
Lead counsel in Billy Martin v. Forrest Lake Townhouse Association, Inc., et. al., Cause No. 2015-14182, in the 127th Judicial District of Harris County, Texas (2015). Successfully defended client via summary judgment.
Notable Transactions
Representation of a privately held energy technology company in a $100M sale.
Representation of a privately held technology company in a $150M sale.
Representation of a privately held company in a $50M private placement offering for multi-family real estate investments.
Representation of a privately held company in $23M sale to a large international company.
Representation of a privately held company in a $10M sale to a private investor.
Representation of a private family in a $80M transaction for real estate.
Representation of a privately held company in a $50M real estate transaction.
Representation of a privately held energy technology company in a $20M sale.
Representation of various private issuers in developing private offerings raising approximately a billion in private funds.
Education
May 2010
Loyola University of New Orleans
College of Law
New Orleans, Louisiana
Juris Doctor
May 2007
The University of Texas
Bachelor of Arts
Loren M. King, IV
Partner
Mr. Loren M. King, IV has an extensive transactional and litigation docket. He started his career working with Fluor Corporation, a Global Engineering and Construction Company, where he developed a significant construction law background. Currently, he works with several construction, engineering and industrial companies by assisting them in maintaining compliance with construction law, rules and regulations. He routinely drafts and negotiates construction contracts as well as litigating and enforcing the terms therein.
Mr. King also regularly assists corporate clients involved in pharmaceutical products, real estate, hospitality and food service industries, software development and engineering, private equity, environmental industrial services, oil and gas, as well as many other industries. He assists corporate clients with their general business transactions, employment issues, private equity, corporate development and structuring, master service agreements, acquisitions and dispositions, contract negotiation, drafting and execution, as well as spearheading litigation on their behalf.
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Mr. King also has experience in federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations. He is adept in FINRA, Texas State Securities Board and Federal securities laws, rules and regulations as well as compliance. Mr. King has a federal and state court practice, with emphasis on securities litigation and arbitration, commercial and contract disputes, copyright infringement, trade secrets, oil and gas, construction and business disputes.
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Mr. King is also involved in a national MDL regarding medical devices and other defective products. Mr. King handles the probate docket for the firm, which includes drafting applications for admission of wills to probate, drafting initial inventory, accounting, and lists of claims, attending hearings, drafting wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents. Mr. King manages our multi-family property operating company’s litigation docket, including preparation of defenses and claims, and court attendance associated with hearings, motions, and trial as needed. This docket often is associated with property and landlord-tenant law including evictions and payment of rent. He also has varied experience in drafting oil and gas joint operating agreements in compliance with Texas law and the Texas Railroad Commission’s regulatory rules, reviewing proposed operating agreements and lease agreements to ensure protection of client rights under the operating agreement and the obligations of the operator under the contract, in addition to the review of title documents and leases associated with operating agreements to ensure the legitimacy of the client’s right to collect royalties.
Notable Litigation
Lead counsel in Lifestyles Unlimited, Inc., v. Stephen Davis, Civil Action No. 4:18-cv-2233, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (2021). Successfully litigated a copyright infringement dispute regarding a violation of a permanent injunction threatening to shut down client’s business. Opposing counsel: Snell & Wilmer, LLP.
Lead counsel in Lifestyles Unlimited Inc., v. Stephen Davis, Charly Varghese, Real Wealth Academy, LLC, Civil Action No. 4:20-cv-01389, In the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (2020). Successfully litigated a copyright infringement dispute regarding an estimated one million in alleged damages against client’s business. Opposing counsel: Snell & Wilmer, LLP.
Lead counsel in Van Mabee as Trustee of the Van Mabee Trust No. 3 v. Mabee Ranch Royalty Partnership, LP; Mabee Ranch Royalty Management, LLC, and John W. Mabee, Cause No. CV56476, In the 318th District Court of Midland County, Texas (2022). Successfully litigated a dispute regarding alleged $20 million in damages. Opposing counsels: Davis, Gerald, & Cremer; Rickey J. Brantley; Jackson Walker, LLP; The Hartnett Law Firm.
Lead counsel in SRS Distribution, Inc., v. E Contractors USA, LLC and FCCI Insurance Company, Cause No. 2020-18972, In the 129th District Court of Harris County, Texas (2020). Successfully represented subcontractor against the general contractor and vendor in a change order dispute. Opposing counsels: Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton, LLP; Charles E. Wear, Jr.
Co-counsel in MCAP Operating Company, LLC v. Justin Brown, James Staples, et. al., Cause No. DC-25-00926, In the 14th Judicial District, Dallas County, Texas (2025). Secured a $3 million dollar judgment for oil and gas investment fraud.
Co-counsel in Aster Securities (US), LP et al v. Wilbur Edwin Bosarge Jr., Cause No. 2019-49194; in the 127th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, (2021). Successfully litigated a billion-dollar securities fraud dispute. Opposing Counsel, Akerman, LLP.
Co-counsel in Quantlab Group GP, LLC, Veloce, LP, and Marco, LP, v. Bruce P. Eames, Andrey Omeltchenko, AVG Holdings, LP, and Aster Securities (US) L.P., In the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, C.A. No. 2018-0553-JRS (2021). Represented minority shareholders in a 1.5-billion-dollar private ownership dispute. Opposing counsel: DLA Piper, LLP (US).
Co-counsel in many cases involved In re: Ethicon Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 2327, In the U.S. District Court of Southern District of West Virginia, Charleston Division. Secured millions for clients.
Co-counsel in many cases involved In re: 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation, Cause No. 3:19md2885, In the U.S. District Court of Northern District of Florida Pensacola Division. Secured millions for clients.
Co-counsel in Sabre Investments, LLC, et. al v. Taurus Blue Duck, LLC, et. al, in the District Court of Collin County, Texas, 296 Judicial District, Cause No. 296-03689-2020 (2020). Successfully litigated $8.5 million dollar dispute regarding a fraudulent oil and gas operator for salt water disposal well operations. Opposing Counsel: Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP.
Co-counsel in Karen Baumgarten, et. al v. Eric Benavides, Individually, et. al., in the District Court of 296th Judicial District, Collin County, Texas Cause No. 296-03688-2020 (2020). Successfully litigated $7.3 million dollar dispute regarding a fraudulent oil and gas operator for a salt water disposal well operations. Opposing Counsel: Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP.
Co-counsel in a FINRA enforcement action in Disciplinary Proceeding No. 2012030731802; Department of Enforcement v. William H. Murphy & Co., Inc. and William H. Murphy, involving public solicitation violations of Rule 506(b). Litigated an enforcement ruling to the 5th Circuit which was remanded back to FINRA requiring FINRA to reduce the sanction in accordance with SEC and FINRA guidelines. Opposing Parties: FINRA and the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Education
2011
Houston
College of Law
South Texas
Juris Doctor
2008
The University of Texas at Austin
Bachelor of Arts
Jayda Morgan
Associate Attorney
Ms. Morgan is an associate attorney at the Spencer Law Firm, with a strong foundation in civil litigation, business law, and advocacy. She graduated summa cum laude from Thurgood Marshall School of Law in May 2024, where she distinguished herself through her academic achievements and leadership roles, including ranking in the top 10% of her class. She is a distinguished legal writer, showcased by her tenure as Editor-in-Chief of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law Journal on Gender, Race, and Justice.
Prior to joining Spencer Law, Ms. Morgan held a clerkship at the 281st Civil District Court in Houston, where she was able to gain valuable insight into case strategy from the judicial perspective, further hone her legal drafting and advocacy skills, and conduct in-depth legal research for complex civil litigation issues. Her work as a Legal Research Assistant further developed her competence in various areas of law, including constitutional and immigration law, highlighting her commitment to community engagement.
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Throughout her educational journey, Ms. Morgan has been dedicated to empowering others. She participated in various clinics hosted by the Earl Carl Institute, and she was actively involved in several legal organizations, including the Black Law Students Association, and is passionate about utilizing her diverse legal skills to address her clients’ issues. Ms. Morgan aims to provide innovative solutions to the legal challenges faced by individuals and communities alike.
Education
2024
Thurgood Marshall
School of Law
Summa cum laude
Juris Doctor
Dec 2020
Ohio University
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Cum laude
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Natalie Maciel
Law Clerk
Natalie Maciel is a Law Clerk at The Spencer Law Firm, focusing on litigation, compliance, and general business law. Her strong foundation in legal experience and academic accomplishments enables her to effectively tackle complex legal issues and provide insightful solutions.
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Before joining Spencer Law Firm, Ms. Maciel served as a Case Manager at a personal injury firm, where she was crucial in managing case strategies, client interactions, and legal research. Her earlier experience as a Legal Assistant further refined her expertise in legal procedures and documentation.
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Ms. Maciel graduated cum laude from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School in 2024, ranking in the top 15% of her class. Her academic achievements include Certificates of Merit in Conflict of Laws, Constitutional Law II, Entertainment Law, Mortgages and Land Contracts, Civil Procedure II, Contracts II, and Criminal Law. She also received an Honors Scholarship during her second semester for her outstanding academic performance.
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During her time at Cooley Law School, Ms. Maciel was actively involved in the Organization of Women Law Students and participated in several expungement fairs, providing valuable legal assistance to individuals seeking to clear their criminal records.
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Ms. Maciel completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Houston-Downtown, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Administration and Management, graduating cum laude. As an undergraduate, she was a member of the UHD Pre-Law Association, serving as Executive Officer and Event Coordinator.
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Ms. Maciel’s strong academic background and diverse legal experience make her a valuable asset to the Spencer Law Firm team. Her dedication to the firm’s clients and her comprehensive legal knowledge enhances her ability to navigate complex legal matters effectively.
Education
2024
Western Michigan
University Cooley Law School
cum laude
Juris Doctor
2008
University of Houston-Downtown
cum laude
B.B.A. in Business Administration and Management
Our Legal Staff
Cathy M. Easterly, Office Manager/Accounting/Legal Assistant
Licea D. Sims, Senior Paralegal
Regina S. Nervis, Legal Assistant
Ketra A. Hunter, Paralegal