Timothy Spangler

Timothy Spangler focuses his practice on the intersection of alternative investment management and financial technology, including the impact of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital assets on the financial services industry and the innovation economy.
Mr. Spangler assists clients with the formation, structuring and negotiation of private investment vehicles across numerous jurisdictions around the world. He regularly advises fund sponsors and promoters on the structuring and launch of hedge funds, private equity funds and venture capital funds, as well as with respect to their co- investment arrangements, internal partnerships and personal investments. On a selective basis, he advises potential investors in private investment funds. Mr. Spangler also has particular experience counseling clients on the ongoing compliance obligations of investment management firms operating in a rapidly evolving global regulatory landscape, including the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive.
He also has wide-ranging experience working both with blockchain-native firms navigating the financial regulatory landscape and financial services firms developing innovative products based on and around digital assets and distributed ledger technology. He advises on all legal aspects of the development and launch of new blockchain protocols and applications, as well as issues related with trading and holding cryptocurrencies and structuring tokenizations and other fundraisings using digital assets.
Recently, Mr. Spangler’s work advising Franklin Templeton on development of the world’s first blockchain-based mutual fund was recognized for “Innovation in Creating New Standards” by the Financial Times in their Most Innovative Law Firms in North America for the Practice of Law list, where Dechert is also ranked among the top five firms.
Mr. Spangler has also been recognized by The Legal 500 (US) in the area of fintech and alternative/hedge funds, one recent edition stating that he is “accessible and helpful - he brings a global perspective to things.” He has also been recognized in Chambers Global in the area of USA Investment Funds: Hedge Funds, Foreign Expert for UK. He is listed in The Legal Media Group Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers for Investment Funds in both the United States and the United Kingdom. He is also "Recommended" for his work with Investment Funds in The PLC Cross-Border Investment Funds Handbook and is mentioned in The International Who’s Who Legal for Private Funds.
Mr. Spangler has practiced law around the world, including New York and London. He is a frequent author and speaker on issues regarding developments in alternative investment funds and financial technology. He also organizes the firm's successful quarterly webinar series titled “Private Funds: Nuts and Bolts.”