March is Women’s History Month, which provides a moment for industries across the world to reflect on the evolving opportunities for professional women. It’s a time to celebrate progress and contributions women have made throughout the years while acknowledging how we can continue to improve to reach true gender equity, especially for women in law.
At Practus, that conversation extends beyond the attorneys who represent clients every day. While lawyers remain at the center of the profession, the success of a modern law firm increasingly depends on the professionals who build, operate, and innovate the business side of legal services.
One of the ways Practus stands apart from other firms is its leadership model. Unlike many traditional firms that are managed almost entirely by practicing attorneys, Practus embraces a structure where experienced business leaders run the operational side of the firm. This allows attorneys to focus on what they do best—serving clients and practicing law—while dedicated experts guide strategy, operations, recruiting, and culture.
Many of the leaders at our firm are women whose expertise and vision have helped shape every aspect of the firm. This Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting several of the women whose leadership helps power Practus behind the scenes. But first, let’s dive into why this leadership structure is so important to us as a modern law firm.
Why Modern Law Firms Need Business Leadership
Managing a law firm as an attorney can be a rewarding experience, but that structure also comes with challenges of balancing client work and the operational side of the firm. Developing a leadership structure that pulls together attorneys and non-attorneys creates an innovative approach that can better navigate today’s complex market, including overcoming obstacles such as:
- Rapid advances in legal technology
- Competitive recruiting environments
- Evolving client expectations
- Remote and distributed workforces
- Online presence and discoverability
- The growing importance of innovation and operational efficiency
Running a law firm today requires strategic business leadership alongside legal experience.
At Practus, that balance is intentional. By empowering professionals with deep experience in operations, recruiting, finance, marketing, technology, and strategy, the firm creates an environment where attorneys can focus on their clients while leadership focuses on building a strong and scalable organization.
This model also creates meaningful opportunities for talented women professionals to lead within the legal industry.
Women Leaders Helping Shape Practus
Behind every successful organization is a team of leaders who bring different experiences and perspectives. Here at Practus, several women play a key role in shaping the firm’s strategy, culture, and growth. Get to know some of our leadership team and talented women in law:
Valerie Spengler
Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer
Innovation is central to how Practus operates – it’s been part of our core values since the firm first launched. As Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer, Valerie Spengler leads firm-wide initiatives focused on technology modernization, innovation, and long-term strategic growth.
She oversees the systems, platforms, and operational frameworks that support how the firm functions and evolves in a rapidly changing legal market. Working closely with executive leadership, attorneys, and external partners, Valerie evaluates and implements technology solutions, optimizes workflows, and helps guide strategic initiatives across the firm.
Her role also includes oversight of marketing and brand strategy, ensuring Practus external messaging aligns with our operational model and long-term vision.
Whether building internal systems or shaping the firm’s broader strategy, Valerie’s work reflects the forward-thinking approach that defines Practus.
Sandra Haislet
Vice President of Firm Administration
Strong financial leadership is essential to running a successful law firm. As Vice President of Firm Administration, Sandra Haislet oversees the firm’s financial management and plays a key role in the administrative backbone that supports attorneys, clients, and staff.
With more than two decades of experience in accounting, finance, and law firm management, Sandra brings a practical approach to the business side of legal practice. She oversees the firm’s back-office accounting team and manages financial operations across the firm.
As an expert in top-tier software solutions, Sandra leads the firm’s efforts to optimize our practice management platforms that support attorneys and staff. Her leadership ensures that the firm’s financial and operational systems remain efficient and transparent to both attorneys and their clients.
Stephanie Recupero
Vice President of Recruiting
One of the defining characteristics of Practus is its ability to attract experienced, entrepreneurial attorneys seeking a modern law firm model.
As Vice President of Recruiting, Stephanie Recupero leads the firm’s efforts to grow its legal and non-legal team. Her mission is to find professionals who share the Practus vision of practicing law in a smarter and more efficient way—one that benefits both clients and attorneys.
Stephanie brings more than 20 years of experience in brand strategy and business development, including work with global companies like Reebok. She applies that expertise to help shape the firm’s growth strategy while contributing to brand development and integrated revenue programs.
Through her work, Stephanie plays a critical role in identifying attorneys who align with the firm’s collaborative culture and entrepreneurial approach.
Tracey Watson
Vice President of Operations & Culture
A strong firm culture doesn’t happen by accident—it requires intentional leadership and thoughtful systems.
As Vice President of Operations & Culture, Tracey Watson is deeply involved in the operational engine that keeps Practus running smoothly. She helps develop the systems and processes that support the firm’s attorneys, ensuring they have what they need to focus on serving clients.
Tracey also oversees onboarding for new attorneys and staff, helping them quickly integrate into the firm and build meaningful connections with colleagues. A big part of that is leading the internal communications and initiatives designed to keep teams informed, aligned, and engaged.
With prior experience as a Strategic Planner at one of the country’s top advertising agencies, Tracey brings a unique perspective on operations, communications, and company culture. Her work helps foster the collaborative environment that sets Practus apart.
Karen Aspinall
Partner and Financial Services Practice Chair
While much of our firm’s leadership comes from experienced business professionals, the firm also benefits from strong leadership among its attorneys.
Karen Aspinall, Partner and Practice Area Chair of Financial Services, brings more than 20 years of in-house and AmLaw experience to the firm. She is a recognized authority on regulatory compliance matters, advising clients on complex issues involving regulators such as the SEC, DOL, CFTC, and NFA. Karen’s work spans a wide range of regulatory and transactional matters, from SEC examinations and internal reviews to negotiating high-value agreements.
Her leadership within the financial services practice reflects the broader story of women in law: bringing comprehensive experience, innovation, and strategic insight to complex legal challenges.
Expanding Opportunities for Women in Law
Much of the conversation around women in law focuses on the challenges attorneys face within traditional law firm structures. Those conversations remain important. But, the evolution of the legal industry also creates new pathways for women to lead—not only as attorneys, but also as strategists, operators, innovators, and culture-builders.
At firms like Practus, where the business of law is supported by experienced leadership professionals, women are helping shape the future of the legal industry in strategic ways.
What’s Next?
The legal industry continues to evolve, and with it, the opportunities for women in law are expanding across every aspect of the profession.
From attorneys advocating for their clients to the professionals who build and guide the firms behind them, women play an increasingly important role in shaping what modern law firms look like.
At Practus, this evolution is part of the firm’s foundation. By combining legal experience with strong business leadership, we continue to build a model that supports both attorneys and the professionals who help the firm thrive.
This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to celebrate the many ways women contribute to the success of Practus—and to the continued progress of women in law.
