Ms. Cardenal has been with Smith Pachter McWhorter since 2012 and represents clients in both the construction and government contracts practice areas.  She has worked in private practice for the Trademark Department of a law firm in San Salvador, El Salvador where she represented national and international clients.  Her public sector experience includes working for the United States Marine Corps as Freedom of Information Act Coordinator and Claims Supervisor for Marine Corps Bases Japan, and as Special Assistant to the Deputy General Counsel (Acquisition), United States Air Force.

Ms. Cardenal’s government contracts experience includes work on contractor responsibility and integrity issues, internal investigations, small business, False Claims Act, contract claims and disputes, bid protests, Service Contract Act disputes, cost allowability, Freedom of Information Act, terminations, data rights claims, contract negotiations, and contract drafting and review.

Ms. Cardenal is a recipient of the American Bar Association’s Public Contract Law Section Diversity Scholarship Award for the 2012-2014 term and is currently serving as a Vice-Chair of the Membership and Diversity Committee.