Samantha represents both public and private sector clients in a variety of matters, including putative and certified class actions, through all phases of litigation in federal and state court. Samantha defends public sector clients in civil rights matters, including certified class actions relating to the constitutional delivery of medical care to persons incarcerated in California correctional facilities, as well as juvenile and adult parole revocation. She also assists policyholders in insurance recovery disputes. Samantha's insurance recovery experience ranges from providing coverage advice to participating in state and federal litigation.
Samantha is also experienced in labor and employment law, and has defended employers against allegations of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, labor relations violations, wage-and-hour noncompliance and other employment-related torts.
Samantha previously worked as a deputy attorney general in the California Office of the Attorney General where she defended high-ranking governmental figures and state corrections officials in civil rights litigation.
Representative Work
Plata v. Brown. Samantha assists in this class action case against the State of California, including the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), relating to the delivery of medical care to California’s adult inmate population.
Valdivia v. Brown. Samantha assists in representing the State in this class action against the CDCR and related entities, relating to the State’s adult parole revocation process.
L.H. v. Brown. Samantha assisted in successfully terminating this seven-year-old institutional class action case against the State of California, including the Division of Juvenile Justice. This case related to the revocation of juvenile parole.
Samantha recently represented a public sector entity against charges of sexual harassment and age and disability discrimination brought by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, resulting in a “no cause” finding of wrongdoing.
Publications
"Where A Party Makes Two CCP § 998 Offers And Both Are Rejected (Or Lapse), The Second Offer Does Not Extinguish The First For Purposes Of Cost Shifting," Hanson Bridgett Litigation Law Update (March 2012)
"How to Keep Exempt Employees Exempt," California Assisted Living Association Bulletin (March 2009)
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Presentations
"Correctional Class Action Litigation: Risks, Prevention, & Litigation Strategies," co-speaker, San Joaquin Valley Regional Association of California Counties (October 2012)
"Employment Law Overview for Small Business Owners," La Cocina (April 2011)
"How to Hire Your First Employee," Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center (March 2011)
"Significant Changes in Employment Law for California Employers in 2009," Association of Legal Administrators, Golden Gate Chapter (April 2009)
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