# Thomas C. Merchant

<https://galactic.inc/analytics/people/thomas-merchant/>

Executive Vice President and General Counsel · [Franklin Templeton](https://www.franklintempleton.com/)
[Company bio](https://www.franklinresources.com/profiles/thomas-merchant)

## About

Thomas C. Merchant serves as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Franklin Templeton. His career includes tenure as Deputy General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Compliance at Franklin Templeton from 2020 to 2022, as well as General Counsel and Executive Vice President at Legg Mason from 2013 to 2020. He previously held corporate legal roles at Legg Mason starting in 1998 and worked as a Corporate Associate at Shearman & Sterling from 1993 to 1998. Merchant earned a J.D. from New York University School of Law and a B.S. in Economics with honors and high distinction from Penn State University.

## Experience

- Executive Vice President and General Counsel · Franklin Templeton · 2022 – Present
- Deputy General Counsel and Head of Regulatory Compliance · Franklin Templeton · 2020 – 2022
- General Counsel and Executive Vice President · Legg Mason · 2013 – 2020
- Corporate legal roles, from Associate General Counsel · Legg Mason · 1998 – 2013
- Corporate Associate · Shearman & Sterling · 1993 – 1998

## Education

- J.D. · New York University School of Law
- B.S. in Economics, with honors and high distinction · Penn State University

## Assets on this site

- [iBENJI Franklin OnChain Institutional Liquidity Fund Ltd.](https://galactic.inc/analytics/ibenji/)
- [BENJI Franklin OnChain U.S. Government Money Fund](https://galactic.inc/analytics/benji/)

## Sources

- [Franklin Templeton: Thomas Merchant profile](https://www.franklinresources.com/profiles/thomas-merchant)
- [Franklin Resources fiscal 2025 Form 10-K (SEC)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/38777/000003877725000238/ben-20250930.htm)