Women in Law 2024

2024

CARDELLE SPANGLER MANAGING PARTNER OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS; MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Winston & Strawn LLP

C ardelle Spangler is a nationally recognized litigator at Winston & Strawn with over 25 years of experience representing clients in complex class action, collective action, multi-plaintiff, and single plaintiff employment litigation. A consummate leader, Cardelle serves as Winston’s Managing Partner of Internal Affairs and as a member of Winston’s Executive Committee, where she helps shape the firm’s global strategy. Prior to being appointed as Managing Partner of Internal Affairs, Cardelle successfully served as Managing Partner of Winston’s Chicago office and as a member of the firm’s Associate Evaluation and Hiring Committees. Cardelle has substantial trial experience before state and federal courts, as well as arbitrators. She has successfully defended collective action lawsuits brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”); class action lawsuits brought under the FLSA, Title VII, and ERISA alleging breaches of fiduciary duties against corporate and individual defendants; claims brought under ERISA for denial of benefits and discrimination; claims brought under various state and federal statutes for age, race, sex, color, religion, and disability discrimination and/ or harassment; and common law and/or statutory claims for unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, and various torts. Cardelle has also conducted harassment and other investigations, drafted employment and independent contractor agreements, and conducted labor and employment training. Cardelle’s commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting equity extends to every facet of her work. In 2010, she was appointed by a federal judge to serve as compliance administrator for the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. Her responsibilities include(d), among other things, adjudicating employee claims of unlawful political

discrimination, including awarding damages where appropriate; training the recorder, supervisors, and employees on unlawful political discrimination; monitoring and reporting on employment actions of the office; drafting an employment plan for approval by the parties and the court to ensure proper policies and procedures are established and followed to help prevent unlawful political discrimination in the office; and filing periodic public reports with the court on the office’s progress toward substantially complying with the terms of the court’s order. Within Winston, Cardelle leverages her leadership positions to ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts of the firm’s global strategy. Her dedication and innate leadership abilities led her to become a member of Winston’s Diversity & Inclusion (“D&I”) Committee, which leads the firm’s strategic plan to enhance D&I programs, performance, and profile. Additionally, for five years, Cardelle chaired Winston’s Respectful Workplace Issues Committee, where she helped further the committee’s mission to maintain a mutually respectful environment where professionalism, civility, and appropriateness are paramount. In addition to shaping Winston’s global strategy, Cardelle is committed to improving the legal and leadership skills of individuals through mentorship. Cardelle is actively involved with organizations that champion equity in education. She serves as chair of the board for Academy of Urban Schools Leadership, a nonprofit that provides equity-focused programming to improve educational outcomes for students in underinvested communities. She is also on the board of directors for Hope Chicago, a scholarship-focused nonprofit that provides students and their parents/guardians with the support they need to graduate from college debt-free.

WOMEN IN LAW 2024