By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Attorney Lindsay Dangl, a managing shareholder with Murphy & Spagnuolo, P.C. in Okemos, southeast of Lansing, relishes the excitement of insurance defense.
“I only handle cases with red flags, allowing me to investigate and prevent fraud. It’s like detective work—challenging and fun,” she says. “I also get to spend a lot of time in depositions and in court – which is the fun part about the job.”
She also finds municipal work to be rewarding.
“Supporting local government officials who serve in often thankless roles feels fulfilling,” she says. “I’m especially passionate about representing libraries across the state. Libraries are one of the few places left that promote lifelong learning and the free exchange of ideas, which is crucial to what our country stands for.”
Dangl is the new president of the Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), after previously being involved with its Board of Directors and Young Lawyers Section.
“I got the advice early on to join the Bar Association and I’m glad I did because lawyers are some of my favorite people. I’ve made wonderful lifelong friendships,” she says. “I also have a strong network of good attorneys who are always there to answer a question when unique situations arise, which has been very valuable to me. I love the Bar Association and I think it can help provide that in-person support network that many are missing since the pandemic.”
Dangl’s main goal is to grow the ICBA, that currently has 573 members, down from its peak of close to 800 members.
“To me, more members means a larger community, providing a broader support network for individuals to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on common goals. It also diversifies our perspectives and ideas, further enriching the experience of everyone who participates,” she says.
“Frankly, COVID and the new reality of remote work have changed how lawyers interact with each other. The Bar Association needs to evolve and provide what our members need now—whether that’s allowing new attorneys the opportunity to set foot in-person in a courtroom at our Bench-Bar Conference because all their hearings have been by Zoom, or providing socializing opportunities with local judges to better get to know the judges you’re in front of—even if it’s just to learn your name—or providing space for those informal mentorship opportunities I got as a young attorney watching more experienced attorneys during motion calls – the bar can have a lot of value,” she says. “I’m also reaching out to the law schools to see how we can better serve the soon-to-be lawyers in our community.”
Dangl is a member of Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan, although is not as active as she was early on in her career, when she was the only female attorney at a firm.
“Attending WLAM Happy Hours and talking to other women who had been in the same situation was life-changing,” she says. “I still have many close friendships from these conversations with wonderful mentors who provided the unique perspective of being a woman in the law.”
She also is a member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
“It’s a great organization for defense attorneys to share experiences and collaborate on strategies that helps to keep me sharp in the courtroom,” she says.
Growing up, Dangl was inspired by her grandfather and uncle, who had a law firm—and a “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” with her uncle further piqued her interest. She also recalls a female attorney speaker at a fith grade career day.
“Hearing her speak solidified that I wanted to pursue a career in law,” she says.
After earning her undergraduate degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University, Dangl remained a Spartan to earn her juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from MSU College of Law. During law school, she particularly enjoyed the Chance at Childhood program—a joint program offered by MSU Law and the School of Social Work—and she earned a certificate in Child and Family Advocacy.
“I thought I would solely focus on family law in my career,” she says. “It was great exposure to what actually working in the profession day in and day out would look like.”
A clerkship for Judge Tracey Yokich in the Macomb County Circuit Court was a valuable experience.
“I enjoyed everything,” Dangl says. “Judge Yokich has been an incredible mentor. I conducted legal research, observed motions and trials, and helped with opinion writing under her guidance. She also showed me, firsthand, the importance of treating court staff with respect, often bringing them sweets on rough days. Through her, I learned not only what to avoid but also how to appreciate those who support our work. She even took me to lunch with some remarkable people and allowed me to shadow her. I’m deeply grateful for all she’s taught me.”
Born in Grosse Pointe, Dangl grew up in the Mt. Clemens/Clinton Township area, and currently makes her home in Mason—the county seat south of Lansing—with her husband and two children.
“I’m one of four kids, and I come from a big, loud extended family that I love,” she says.
Her free time is mostly spent on personal fitness and attending her children’s activities.
“It keeps us busy,” she says. “And as a family, we like to camp on weekends or ski in the winter.”
Dangl also is passionate about her small hobby farm/vegetable and fruit garden.
“I think it’s important to know what goes into your food, and making sure my children know how to grow food – a skill I think we’re losing in modern society,” she says. “I think about the impact we could make if everyone grew some of their own food and composted their own food waste on pesticides, and emissions—plus it tastes better.”
She enjoys living and working in the Lansing area.
“While bigger than some, it’s still a small town—I run into people I know all the time,” she says.
After being a member of the Junior League of Lansing for several years, she is now a “sustainer.”
“I think they do amazing work,” she says. “JLL donates a ton of money to organizations in the Lansing area that help make sure folks sleep with a roof over their head and children don’t go hungry.”
The Lansing Torch Club— a group of academics and professionals from various backgrounds who get together once a month—is also near and dear to Dangl’s heart.
“We eat together, listen to an expert discuss a controversial topic, and then discuss and debate the topic in a collegial manner with the expert in the room to inform the discussion, part as friends, and return the next month,” she says.
“It’s the only space in my life now where that type of rigorous discussion happens on a monthly basis.”
Legal News
Attorney Lindsay Dangl, a managing shareholder with Murphy & Spagnuolo, P.C. in Okemos, southeast of Lansing, relishes the excitement of insurance defense.
“I only handle cases with red flags, allowing me to investigate and prevent fraud. It’s like detective work—challenging and fun,” she says. “I also get to spend a lot of time in depositions and in court – which is the fun part about the job.”
She also finds municipal work to be rewarding.
“Supporting local government officials who serve in often thankless roles feels fulfilling,” she says. “I’m especially passionate about representing libraries across the state. Libraries are one of the few places left that promote lifelong learning and the free exchange of ideas, which is crucial to what our country stands for.”
Dangl is the new president of the Ingham County Bar Association (ICBA), after previously being involved with its Board of Directors and Young Lawyers Section.
“I got the advice early on to join the Bar Association and I’m glad I did because lawyers are some of my favorite people. I’ve made wonderful lifelong friendships,” she says. “I also have a strong network of good attorneys who are always there to answer a question when unique situations arise, which has been very valuable to me. I love the Bar Association and I think it can help provide that in-person support network that many are missing since the pandemic.”
Dangl’s main goal is to grow the ICBA, that currently has 573 members, down from its peak of close to 800 members.
“To me, more members means a larger community, providing a broader support network for individuals to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on common goals. It also diversifies our perspectives and ideas, further enriching the experience of everyone who participates,” she says.
“Frankly, COVID and the new reality of remote work have changed how lawyers interact with each other. The Bar Association needs to evolve and provide what our members need now—whether that’s allowing new attorneys the opportunity to set foot in-person in a courtroom at our Bench-Bar Conference because all their hearings have been by Zoom, or providing socializing opportunities with local judges to better get to know the judges you’re in front of—even if it’s just to learn your name—or providing space for those informal mentorship opportunities I got as a young attorney watching more experienced attorneys during motion calls – the bar can have a lot of value,” she says. “I’m also reaching out to the law schools to see how we can better serve the soon-to-be lawyers in our community.”
Dangl is a member of Women Lawyers Association of Mid-Michigan, although is not as active as she was early on in her career, when she was the only female attorney at a firm.
“Attending WLAM Happy Hours and talking to other women who had been in the same situation was life-changing,” she says. “I still have many close friendships from these conversations with wonderful mentors who provided the unique perspective of being a woman in the law.”
She also is a member of the Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
“It’s a great organization for defense attorneys to share experiences and collaborate on strategies that helps to keep me sharp in the courtroom,” she says.
Growing up, Dangl was inspired by her grandfather and uncle, who had a law firm—and a “Take Your Daughter to Work Day” with her uncle further piqued her interest. She also recalls a female attorney speaker at a fith grade career day.
“Hearing her speak solidified that I wanted to pursue a career in law,” she says.
After earning her undergraduate degree from James Madison College at Michigan State University, Dangl remained a Spartan to earn her juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from MSU College of Law. During law school, she particularly enjoyed the Chance at Childhood program—a joint program offered by MSU Law and the School of Social Work—and she earned a certificate in Child and Family Advocacy.
“I thought I would solely focus on family law in my career,” she says. “It was great exposure to what actually working in the profession day in and day out would look like.”
A clerkship for Judge Tracey Yokich in the Macomb County Circuit Court was a valuable experience.
“I enjoyed everything,” Dangl says. “Judge Yokich has been an incredible mentor. I conducted legal research, observed motions and trials, and helped with opinion writing under her guidance. She also showed me, firsthand, the importance of treating court staff with respect, often bringing them sweets on rough days. Through her, I learned not only what to avoid but also how to appreciate those who support our work. She even took me to lunch with some remarkable people and allowed me to shadow her. I’m deeply grateful for all she’s taught me.”
Born in Grosse Pointe, Dangl grew up in the Mt. Clemens/Clinton Township area, and currently makes her home in Mason—the county seat south of Lansing—with her husband and two children.
“I’m one of four kids, and I come from a big, loud extended family that I love,” she says.
Her free time is mostly spent on personal fitness and attending her children’s activities.
“It keeps us busy,” she says. “And as a family, we like to camp on weekends or ski in the winter.”
Dangl also is passionate about her small hobby farm/vegetable and fruit garden.
“I think it’s important to know what goes into your food, and making sure my children know how to grow food – a skill I think we’re losing in modern society,” she says. “I think about the impact we could make if everyone grew some of their own food and composted their own food waste on pesticides, and emissions—plus it tastes better.”
She enjoys living and working in the Lansing area.
“While bigger than some, it’s still a small town—I run into people I know all the time,” she says.
After being a member of the Junior League of Lansing for several years, she is now a “sustainer.”
“I think they do amazing work,” she says. “JLL donates a ton of money to organizations in the Lansing area that help make sure folks sleep with a roof over their head and children don’t go hungry.”
The Lansing Torch Club— a group of academics and professionals from various backgrounds who get together once a month—is also near and dear to Dangl’s heart.
“We eat together, listen to an expert discuss a controversial topic, and then discuss and debate the topic in a collegial manner with the expert in the room to inform the discussion, part as friends, and return the next month,” she says.
“It’s the only space in my life now where that type of rigorous discussion happens on a monthly basis.”
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