Danielle Spinelli was a nationally recognized appellate advocate with a distinguished record before the US Supreme Court and federal courts of appeals. During her career at WilmerHale, she argued seven Supreme Court cases and briefed and argued many others involving bankruptcy, Native American law, administrative and constitutional law, antitrust, criminal law and procedure, federal jurisdiction, insurance, and international trade. She was regarded as one of the country’s leading bankruptcy appellate lawyers, successfully arguing landmark cases on core issues under the Bankruptcy Code and repeatedly prevailing for creditors in complex Chapter 11 matters. She retired from WilmerHale in 2022.

Ms. Spinelli also built a strong Native American law practice, representing tribes in litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings involving land‑into‑trust, gaming, jurisdictional issues, and sovereign immunity. She argued United States v. Tohono O’odham Nation (2011) before the Supreme Court and led extensive litigation related to a $400 million gaming facility that resulted in critical victories and ultimately a favorable settlement. In addition, she maintained a robust pro bono practice focused on death‑penalty and juvenile justice issues, arguing Rothgery v. Gillespie County (2008) and contributing to major Supreme Court decisions shaping constitutional limits on capital punishment and juvenile sentencing. She was active in the legal community, including service on the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules and in leadership roles within the American Bar Association.