Katherine Spicer

Senior Associate at Squire Patton Boggs

2010 | Washington, D.C.

Florida State University | International Business and Marketing

“If you want to be a good leader, you have got to learn how to lead yourself first.”

As the daughter of a lawyer, Katherine Spicer, ’10, long anticipated her own entrance into the legal field. But her law school education would be delayed after a trip to Washington, DC, impressed upon her the meaning of patriotism, inspiring her to fight for her country. 

Spicer recounted the experience during a recent conversation with law students in the Michigan Leadership Initiative at MSU College of Law. She shared the memory of approaching her lawyer father and telling him she wasn’t going to law school – yet. She was going to be a US Marine. 

In the service, Spicer was often one of only a few women in her units. She even commanded a company of all men as the first female to lead an all-male company at the prestigious Marine Corps Officer Candidates School. 

One of the biggest lessons she’s taken away from her numerous leadership roles is this: “If you want to be a good leader, you have got to learn how to lead yourself first.” Spicer shared how knowing her values helped her to discover herself as a leader.

Spicer entered law school at MSU Law in 2007. “It was the first time I could sit back and just embrace learning,” she said. Spicer acknowledged that the law school experience is a battle in its own right for aspiring attorneys, full of new challenges and adjustments – academically, socially, and mentally. “It’s all about survival in a different way,” she said. 

Spicer participated in MSU Law’s Geoffrey Fieger Trial Practice Institute (TPI), where she developed her oral advocacy techniques and her confidence in the courtroom.

Today, she’s a senior associate at Squire Patton Boggs. Equipped with her legal knowledge and leadership experience, Spicer works to find the best solutions for her clients. In her practice, she primarily serves companies on various types of litigation and government investigations. 

Spicer is a major in the Marine Corps Reserves and serves as the reserve staff judge advocate for Marine Corps Base Quantico. Her career with the Marines has evolved over time, but no matter what, she will remain active with the Marines, “As long as I’m able – mind, body, and soul.”