Senior SEC Attorney to Join Andrews Kurth as Partner

DALLAS – Spencer Barasch, Associate Director of the Fort Worth District Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, will join Andrews Kurth in April as a partner and a leader of the firm’s corporate governance and securities enforcement team. He will be resident in the firm’s Dallas office.

Barasch will bring to Andrews Kurth 17 years of experience with the SEC, serving as trial counsel, assistant regional director for enforcement and, since 1998, head of enforcement for the SEC Fort Worth District Office. While at the Commission, Barasch directed high profile SEC enforcement activity in all areas of the securities industry, including financial fraud cases, regulatory cases, insider trading cases and securities scams.

Barasch says, “I was attracted to Andrews Kurth because of the exceptional scope and quality of the firm’s corporate and litigation practices, and the outstanding lawyers who work there. I am excited to become a part of this premier law firm, and look forward to using my regulatory background and experience to provide an expanded level of service to the firm’s clients.”

As Associate Director, Barasch supervised approximately 50 attorneys and accountants in the investigation of federal securities law violations and litigation of civil and administrative proceedings, and worked closely with senior officials in the Commission’s other Divisions and Offices to present enforcement recommendations to the Commission. Barasch also served as a liaison with U.S. Attorney offices, self-regulatory organizations, other federal agencies, international securities agencies, and state regulators and prosecutors.

Howard Ayers, Andrews Kurth’s managing partner, says, “Our main goal is to improve and expand the services we offer our clients. With Spence Barasch on our team, our firm can provide unique perspective, insight and experience in the areas of governance, compliance and enforcement. We are delighted and proud that Spence chose Andrews Kurth.”

Barasch has received several Commission Awards, including the Irving Pollack Award for distinguished service and the Chairman’s Award for Excellence. In 1984, he received a J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law and was a member of the Tulsa Law Review. In 1980, he graduated with an A.B. in religion and philosophy from Duke University.

Andrews Kurth LLP, founded in 1902, has more than 400 lawyers and eight offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York, The Woodlands and Washington, DC. The firm has an international client base and has experience in all major industries and areas of business law and litigation.