Attorneys

Sponseller and Watson Nominated for Leadership Award

8/31/09

Eastman & Smith Ltd. is pleased to announce that Carrie L. Sponseller and Laurie A. Watson have been nominated for the 2009 20 Under 40 Toledo Leadership Awards. This annual event salutes the young, dynamic leaders of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

Carrie L. Sponseller is an associate in the Firm's Labor and Employment Law section where she concentrates her practice in the areas of employment discrimination, workers' compensation and related litigation. Ms. Sponseller's experience includes representing employers in administrative agencies, as well as in Ohio and federal courts. Ms. Sponseller is licensed to practice in Ohio, and is a member of the Ohio State and Toledo Bar Associations. Ms. Sponseller serves on the Board of Directors of Adelante, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Hispanic initiatives and serving the community through programs designed to bridge the gap in services for those underserved due to cultural and language barriers. She recently co-chaired the organization's "Pack to School" event, which provided backpacks and school supplies to hundreds of underprivileged Toledo Public School students. Ms. Sponseller resides in Holland, Ohio with her husband and children.

Laurie A. Watson is an associate in the Firm's Wealth Preservation section where she concentrates her practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration, estate and gift taxation, and has significant experience working with private foundations and other non-profit organizations, as well as philanthropically-inclined clients. Ms. Watson serves on the Board of Trustees of the Toledo Estate Planning Council and the Toledo Area Planned Giving Council, and has been the treasurer of the latter organization since 2005. Ms. Watson also serves on the Board of Directors at Swan Creek Retirement Village, and has been a member of Swan Creek's Philanthropy Committee since January, 2007. She regularly volunteers her time as a planning committee member for the United Way Young Leaders Council, and is a member of the Toledo Community Foundation's Professional Advisory Council. Ms. Watson currently resides in Monclova Township with her husband and two young sons.

The awards presentation is preceded by a cocktail reception to be held on September 30 in One Seagate in downtown Toledo. For more information about the awards program, please contact Sara Pauley at 419.247.1733 or sapauley@eastmansmith.com.