As a Principal Member and Managing Partner at Legal Lion Employment Law Firm, Samantha has dedicated her legal practice to the representation of federal sector employees, with an emphasis on advocating for employees who are experiencing discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. As a dedicated attorney who understands each client’s circumstances are unique, especially when dealing with the federal government, Samantha takes a client-centered approach to all matters, understanding the personal and collateral consequences each case can have for her clients.
Samantha is passionate about litigating cases and she has worked extensively in matters involving the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act (WPEA).
She has zealously represented employees in the following federal agencies, including, but not limited to: Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and VA health care systems; Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Bureau of Prisons (BOP); Food and Drug Administration (FDA); National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Drug and Enforcement Administration (DEA); Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Airforce (AF), Department of Navy-Marine Corps (DoN-MC), Department of the Army (DoA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE); Department of Labor (DOL), Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP); General Services Administration (GSA), and Social Security Administration (SSA).
Samantha represents federal employees in: complaints related to discrimination, harassment, and reprisal before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; direct appeals and petitions for compliance of settlement agreements before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB); complaints of whistleblower reprisal and Prohibited Personnel Practices to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC); complaints in federal district court under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); claims, hearings, and appeals to the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) the Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB); hearings before the Disciplinary Appeals Boards (DAB) for Title 38 Employees; and has assisted and represented federal employees and local unions in arbitrations regarding CBA violations and adverse actions.
Besides litigation, Samantha has also successfully represented and assisted employees in obtaining reasonable accommodations they are entitled to for disabilities in order to perform the essential functions of their positions, helping her clients begin the reasonable accommodation process from start to finish or entering to advocate for an employee when delays have kept diligent employees from timely obtaining the accommodations their medical conditions require to perform the essential functions of their position. Samantha has also committed her practice to assisting employees who have been subjected to sexual harassment in the workplace or who have faced retaliation for reporting sexual harassment in the workplace. This has led her to coordinate with the National Women’s Law Center, Times Up Legal Defense Fund, to help clients who need additional financial assistance and other support to connect with the resources offered by this amazing organization to ensure the workplace, including the federal workplace, is free from the oppressive nature of such conduct.
Samantha also has substantial experience in approaching settlement with effective strategies aimed at resolving complaints to avoid the costly stages of litigation, recognizing that for some employees, early resolution of yearlong battles with their employers can be the best way forward to avoid the costs of litigation and to finally end the cycle of reliving a difficult time in your career and life. Moreover, Samantha has not limited her legal counsel to individual employees but has also advised local AFGE unions’ leadership on various matters that arise among the local union and its individual members.
Born and raised in West Virginia, Samantha grew up the oldest of five children. A true Mountaineer, Samantha earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a focus on Pre-Law Studies and a Minor in Communications from West Virginia University. She also attended Kent State University where she was a member of the collegiate all-girl cheerleading squad where she competed nationally. Samantha obtained her Juris Doctor from West Virginia University College of Law. During her legal studies Samantha focused on litigation techniques partaking in all courses involving trial advocacy and was an active member of the Lugar Trial Association, competing in trial competitions on both the west and east coasts of the country. After interning for the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and being awarded the W.V.U. College of Law’s first Criminal Law Award for her dedication to the constitutional rights of the criminally accused, she became focused on committing her legal practice to helping the underrepresented and disadvantaged in the legal system which led her to her current practice area.
When Samantha is not advocating on behalf of federal employees, she enjoys hiking the U.S. national parks with her family and spending time outdoors with her husband, son, and family dog, Mr. Otis.
Admissions
- The Florida Bar
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Memberships and Associations:
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
