Eric Spengler
Partner, Spengler & Agans, Charlotte
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lthough Eric Spengler has only been practicing for about ten years, he has quickly garnered broad recognition as a top lawyer in Charlotte. He leads the labor and employment and civil litigation practice groups at Spengler & Agans, representing plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of employment disputes, ranging from whistleblower claims to fiduciary litigation and contract disputes. “I took the path less traveled in my professional life,” he said. “I’m proud that the law firm I started with my best friend—fresh out of law school—is still going strong almost a decade later.” Spengler is also the Executive Director of a non-profit called Queens Park Charlotte, which he co-founded in 2019 to bring a “Central Park” to Charlotte for all of the city’s residents to enjoy. His dream for such a park is coming close to fruition and is gaining substantial political support. Spengler was also named Sustain Charlotte’s volunteer of the year in 2016 for his service on a city council-appointed task force for its stormwater ordinance and served as a supervisor on the Mecklenburg Soil and Water Conservation District from 2016 to 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver, where he graduated magna cum laude. He also has a Master of Public Administration from the Indiana University School of Public Affairs and earned his law degree, graduating magna cum laude, from the Indiana University –
Bloomington Michael Maurer School of Law. FIRST JOB: I worked at Steak & Shake when I was 15. My job was to put the pickles and condiments on the burgers before the plates went out of the kitchen. I can’t say that I learned much from the experience, other than an appreciation for the hard workers in the service industry. GREATEST CAREER CHALLENGE: Transitioning from a law graduate in 2012 to a practicing lawyer in a small firm. It is not easy to start a law firm at any stage in a career, but the degree of difficulty is particularly high when you do not have much in the way of experience, but it has been rewarding. ADVICE FOR ASPIRING LAWYERS: Before going to law school, find a lawyer who is doing work that you would like to do. And if you can’t find that lawyer, then you probably shouldn’t go to law school. It’s not as glamorous as it looks, and most legal jobs are nothing like they appear on TV. CHILDHOOD DREAMS: I was 15 during the Bush v. Gore legal saga. I found myself glued to cable news each night, and I would report back all the details to my parents at breakfast the next morning. That’s when I knew I wanted to be involved in civic engagement. A career as a lawyer was a natural path for me. Nobody else in my family is a lawyer, though, so I’m the black sheep.
Hon. Donna Stroud
Chief Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals, Raleigh
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udge Donna Stroud began her law career in private practice in 1988 and for 16 years primarily focused on civil litigation in superior court with an emphasis on eminent domain. She also handled family law cases in district court before becoming a district court judge in Wake County, serving from 2004 until her election to the Court of Appeals in 2006. She was re-elected without opposition in 2014 and was sworn in as chief judge on Jan. 1. 2021. She says her experience in private practice and presiding over family court led her to appreciate that area of the law. “I have always enjoyed family law because helping families and children in crisis is important work, and although it is challenging, it is also rewarding,” she said. Stroud, a native of Kinston, has a bachelor’s degree in government from Campbell University, graduating summa cum laude. She continued her education at Campbell School of Law, where she earned her law degree, graduating magna cum laude. She went on to earn a Master of Laws degree in judicial studies from Duke University School of Law. GROWING UP: During summers, my family took long RV trips all over the United States, eventually visiting all the 48 contiguous states. I was about 9 when we started these trips, and I wanted to collect something from every state. Rather than collecting souvenirs made somewhere else and just labeled with the state name I wanted something made in each state. My mother suggested
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collecting dirt. I think she was probably joking. But I took it seriously, so I now have a dirt collection from all 50 states. FIRST JOB: My first real job was working in The Villager gift shop at Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston. I learned not to judge anyone based on appearance. One night when I was alone in the shop, a rather large and dangerous-looking motorcycle rider came in, covered in leather and carrying a gun on his belt. He looked around before approaching me at the cash register, brandishing a small porcelain Beatrix Bunny figurine. He bought it and I’m guessing he took it home and made a little girl happy. GREATEST CAREER CHALLENGE: I’m in the middle of it right now. Just like other organizations, the Court of Appeals is facing challenges and opportunities as we work on returning to “normal” after the pandemic and adapting to more remote work and changes to digital processes. I’m doing that while running for re-election statewide. FAVORITE VACATION SPOT. My favorite is Smokemont Campground in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I’ve been there nearly every year since I was 3, and it’s like my second home. MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW. I have practiced yoga for many years and have trained to be a yoga teacher, although I’ve never had time to teach. I’ve also been to Antarctica, where I was pecked by a penguin.
LEADERS IN THE LAW