John Spagna, an attorney with diverse experience across a number of legal specialties, has joined the firm as partner.

A seasoned litigation attorney with extensive government, in-house and private practice experience, John has handled cross-border litigations, white-collar defense cases, and internal investigations as both external and in-house counsel. Additionally, he has managed complex matrimonial and custody matters for clients throughout New York.

Most recently, John served as senior counsel for an international asset management company where he was responsible for handling the company’s litigation matters as well as government-facing investigations. This included developing strategies to mitigate legal and reputational risk in response to all litigation and regulatory enforcement actions.

“John is an extremely talented attorney with wide-ranging experience across a number of key areas that will significantly expand our capabilities,” said Brian D. Linder, managing partner and general counsel of CRK&L. “John’s work as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office as well as his experience investigating crimes within New York’s real estate development community will position CRK&L for strategic growth in the years ahead.”

John has represented a broad spectrum of clients in commercial disputes and class action litigations and has also managed several internal investigations involving the handling of material non-public information and allegations of insider trading. He has worked with companies, financial institutions, and individuals under criminal investigation by the Department of Justice and in enforcement matters before the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, federal and state bank regulators, state attorneys general, and self-regulatory organizations.

John’s background includes more than four years as special counsel to New York’s Attorney General investigating criminal activity within the real estate development community including mortgage fraud, grand larceny and fraud committed upon banks and financial institutions.

“I am thrilled to be joining the powerhouse team at CRK&L,” John said. “This move brings me full circle, back to my early days at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, where I learned my craft and honed my skills under the guidance of truly remarkable attorneys.”

Earlier in his career, John spent more than five years as prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office serving in both the Rackets Bureau and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor. He prosecuted more than 300 felony cases, which involved multiple jury trials, the presentation of more than 250 felony cases to grand juries, and the management of numerous conspiracy and money-laundering investigations.

John holds a JD from The George Washington University Law School and a BA from Vassar College.