Partner, Murtha Cullina LLP
Age: 36
No. of years with current company: 2
Town where I live: Glastonbury
Town where I work: Hartford
College: Holy Cross
Highest degree: Law degree
Who is your favorite superhero? Batman
Edward B. Spinella is a partner at Murtha Cullina LLP. He is a member of the firm’s business and finance department and chairs the firm’s tax-exempt organizations practice group. He is also a member of the privately owned business, education and health care practice groups.
Spinella serves as general counsel to a diverse array of tax-exempt organizations including startup public charities, social-service providers, other healthcare organizations, private foundations, social clubs and trade associations. Recently, he has counseled clients in connection with cutting-edge projects such as the creation of integrated affiliated systems containing tax-exempt and for-profit organizations.
What’s been your biggest professional accomplishment so far in your career?
I am very proud to have emerged as one of the ‘go-to’ nonprofit attorneys in the state. I am regularly asked to help tax-exempt organizations explore new revenue-generating activities and strategic collaborations. I have been constantly assisting clients with incubating social entrepreneurship ventures as well as exploring mergers.
I am also proud that I was named partner at my former firm at the age of 33 and was named chair of my current firm’s tax-exempt organization practice group at age 35.
How are you involved in the community?
I regularly present free educational seminars to nonprofit personnel and advisors and I make time to share insights with tax-exempt organizations and their advisors, irrespective of whether they are formally clients. I also serve on two nonprofit boards.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love the outdoors. When I’m not fishing, I enjoy going on outdoor excursions with my wife and daughter, including a recent visit to a modernized dairy farm in Litchfield County that quite possibly makes the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted.
Four reasons why you deserve to be a 40 Under Forty:
• I am one of Connecticut’s go-to nonprofit attorneys.
• I was named partner at my former firm at age 33 and was named chair of my current firm’s tax-exempt organization practice group at 35.
• I chair a profitable and expanding practice group founded on empathy and passion for the nonprofit sector.
• I organize and moderate Murtha’s “First Friday” meetings, which allow attorneys throughout our offices to discuss developments and share insights.
Fun Fact
I am a huge proponent of ‘the levity effect’ — responsible levity promotes better workplace morale, increased production and better client service.