Intro
Samantha represents both public and private sector clients in litigation with an emphasis on putative and certified class actions, constitutional and civil rights matters, structured negotiations, and insurance recovery disputes, through all phases of litigation in federal and state court. Samantha is experienced in defending public sector clients in civil rights matters, including certified class actions relating to the constitutional delivery of medical and mental health care to incarcerated individuals and other alleged civil rights violations. Samantha also counsels public sector clients on corrections operations, including specifically the constitutionality of the delivery of services and risk analysis. Samantha also assists policyholders in coverage disputes, specializing in dispute-resolution counseling, pre-litigation negotiation, and litigation.
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.
Areas of Focus
Education
Admissions and Courts
Role
Women's Impact Network, Co-Chair
Pro Bono Committee, Member
"Court Revives California Public Beach Harassment Case," Law360 (March 2023)
California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2019–2021)
"Insurers are adapting to the surge of elder abuse claims," co-author, Daily Journal Verdicts and Settlements (August 2016)
"Mandatory Skilled Nursing Hours Claims: Are You Covered?" co-author, Insurance Thought Leadership (July 2013)
"How to Keep Exempt Employees Exempt," California Assisted Living Association Bulletin (March 2009)
"Hope Is Not a Strategy: A Proactive Approach to Correctional Litigation," NCCHC 2023 Spring Conference (May 2023)
“Litigation in County Jails: The New Frontier,” co-speaker, 2019 CSAC Annual Meeting (December 2019)
"Trends in Jail Litigation: Strategies to Mitigate Risk and Defend Your Facilities," co-speaker, California Sheriffs' Association (November 2019)
“Strategies, Rights, and Obligations of Counties Responding to Inmate Advocacy Groups,” co-speaker, 2016 CSAC Annual Meeting (December 2016)
"Healthcare Challenges in Detention Facilities," co-speaker, County Counsels’ Association of California, Civil Law and Litigation Spring 2016 Study Section Conference (April 2016)
"Then and Now: A Historical Analysis of the Evolution of the Last 40 Years of Insurance Coverage in the United States and Where We Might Go," Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee CLE Seminar (March 2016)
"Parenting and the Law: Balancing Family and Career as a Young Attorney," University of California, Berkeley School of Law, Parenting & Law (November 2015)
"Corrections & Realignment: Avoiding Litigation," co-speaker, CSAC Annual Conference Innovation Summit (November 2013)
“Correctional Class Action Litigation Following Realignment: Current Trends and Litigation Strategies,” co-speaker, County Counsels’ Association of California, 2013 Annual Meeting (September 2013)
“Correctional Class Action Litigation: Implementing Realignment & Exposure to Liability,” co-speaker, County Counsels’ Association of California, Northern California County Counsels’ Meeting (July 2013)
"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)