Spencer Fane Executive and Leadership Team

October, 2026

Leadership Overview

Spencer Fane has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, finance, administration, marketing, and executive management.

Focused on client-centric legal solutions, Spencer Fane prioritizes individual interests through expert counsel. This firm maintains a commitment to excellence across all practice areas while delivering high-impact results for diverse clients.

Leadership Roles at Spencer Fane

  • Chief Executive Officer, President & Director - Theresa Hutton
  • Chief Financial Officer - Allen Vart
  • Chief Operating Officer - Jim Lepore
  • President - Robert Axelrad
  • Chief Information Officer - Allen Darrah
  • Chief of Staff - Samuel Diederich
  • Chief Marketing Officer - Burton Taylor
  • Chief Financial & Administrative Officer - Scott Breeding
  • Theresa Hutton - Chief Executive Officer, President & Director

    Theresa Hutton, the Chief Executive Officer, President & Director at Spencer Fane, directs the overarching strategic vision and firm-wide governance. Overseeing the integration of legal practice groups, the Chief Executive Officer, President & Director ensures alignment with client-centric service models. This leadership role involves managing board relations and driving long-term growth initiatives across North American markets. By fostering a culture of professional excellence, Theresa Hutton directly impacts the firm's competitive positioning within the legal industry. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer, President & Director secures the firm's reputation for prioritizing client interests through rigorous operational standards and high-level decision-making processes that define the organization's trajectory.

    Allen Vart - Chief Financial Officer

    Allen Vart, the Chief Financial Officer at Spencer Fane, manages the firm's fiscal health and long-term financial planning. Overseeing capital allocation and budgetary oversight, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the firm maintains a robust economic position to support growth. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to inform strategic investment in legal talent and infrastructure. By optimizing revenue cycles and cost management, Allen Vart directly impacts the firm's ability to sustain high-level service delivery. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer provides the financial stability required for the firm to navigate competitive legal markets, ensuring that resources remain aligned with the core mission of prioritizing client interests through every fiscal decision.
    Allen Vart

    Jim Lepore - Chief Operating Officer

    Jim Lepore, the Chief Operating Officer at Spencer Fane, manages daily business operations and internal infrastructure. Overseeing the efficiency of legal service delivery, the Chief Operating Officer optimizes resource allocation across regional offices. This leadership role involves streamlining administrative workflows to support attorneys in providing superior client counsel. By implementing scalable operational frameworks, Jim Lepore directly impacts the firm's ability to handle complex legal matters with precision. Ultimately, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the structural integrity of the firm, ensuring that internal processes remain agile and responsive to evolving market demands while upholding the high standards of service that define the organization's commitment to client success.

    Robert Axelrad - President

    Robert Axelrad, the President at Spencer Fane, leads specific practice initiatives and supports the firm's broader strategic objectives. Overseeing the performance of key legal divisions, the President ensures that service delivery remains consistent with the firm's high standards. This leadership role involves mentoring senior attorneys and fostering a collaborative environment that encourages professional growth. By driving excellence in legal practice, Robert Axelrad directly impacts the firm's ability to secure favorable outcomes for clients. Ultimately, the President contributes to the firm's overall success by maintaining a focus on quality and client satisfaction, ensuring that every legal engagement reflects the firm's core mission of prioritizing the interests of those served by the organization.

    Allen Darrah - Chief Information Officer

    Allen Darrah, the Chief Information Officer at Spencer Fane, architects the firm's digital infrastructure and cybersecurity protocols. Overseeing the implementation of advanced legal technology, the Chief Information Officer ensures secure data management for sensitive client information. This leadership role involves modernizing IT systems to facilitate seamless collaboration across geographically dispersed teams. By driving digital transformation initiatives, Allen Darrah directly impacts the firm's operational efficiency and data protection capabilities. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer safeguards the technological foundation of the firm, providing the necessary tools for attorneys to deliver high-quality legal services in an increasingly digital landscape while maintaining strict compliance with industry-standard security requirements.

    Samuel Diederich - Chief of Staff

    Samuel Diederich, the Chief of Staff at Spencer Fane, coordinates executive communications and facilitates cross-departmental alignment. Overseeing the execution of strategic priorities, the Chief of Staff ensures that leadership initiatives translate into actionable results across the firm. This leadership role involves managing complex projects that require collaboration between legal practice groups and administrative departments. By streamlining executive workflows, Samuel Diederich directly impacts the firm's operational agility and decision-making speed. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff acts as a central point of integration, ensuring that the firm's leadership remains focused on the core mission of providing exceptional legal counsel while maintaining the high standards of service that clients expect from the organization.

    Burton Taylor - Chief Marketing Officer

    Burton Taylor, the Chief Marketing Officer at Spencer Fane, directs the firm's brand strategy and market outreach efforts. Overseeing business development initiatives, the Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the firm's value proposition reaches target clients effectively. This leadership role involves crafting messaging that highlights the firm's commitment to prioritizing client interests in complex legal matters. By leveraging data-driven marketing campaigns, Burton Taylor directly impacts the firm's market visibility and client acquisition rates. Ultimately, the Chief Marketing Officer strengthens the firm's reputation, ensuring that the brand remains synonymous with excellence and reliability in the legal sector while supporting the growth objectives of the entire organization through strategic communication and outreach.

    Scott Breeding - Chief Financial & Administrative Officer

    Scott Breeding, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer at Spencer Fane, manages the intersection of fiscal management and administrative operations. Overseeing the firm's back-office functions, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer ensures that financial reporting and administrative support systems operate in harmony. This leadership role involves optimizing internal processes to reduce overhead while maintaining high service quality. By integrating financial oversight with administrative efficiency, Scott Breeding directly impacts the firm's operational sustainability. Ultimately, the Chief Financial & Administrative Officer provides the necessary support structure for the firm to thrive, ensuring that resources are managed effectively to support the core mission of prioritizing client interests through every aspect of the firm's daily business operations.

    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Spencer Fane Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Spencer Fane?
    Spencer Fane is led by Theresa Hutton (Chief Executive Officer, President & Director), along with executives such as Allen Vart (Chief Financial Officer) and Jim Lepore (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Spencer Fane’s executive team?
    The executive team of Spencer Fane includes leaders such as Theresa Hutton (Chief Executive Officer, President & Director), Allen Vart (Chief Financial Officer), Jim Lepore (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Spencer Fane have?
    Spencer Fane has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Spencer Fane’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Spencer Fane includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, President & Director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, Chief Information Officer.