No one in this country should fear that their drinking water is unsafe. And those who knowingly expose the public to contaminated water should be held accountable for failing to safeguard their health and well-being. I am proud to be a part of Weitz & Luxenberg’s efforts to defend and fight for those exposed to toxic chemicals.”
After working with us for several years in a legal capacity, Samantha E. Stahl has joined us as a full-time staff attorney. She joins our Weitz & Luxenberg team of experienced, highly dedicated Environmental, Toxic Torts, and Consumer Protection litigators.
Environmental Protection and Social Justice
Ever since she was little, Ms. Stahl has been inspired to pursue environmental protection and social justice. “I am so fortunate to find myself doing exactly what I always wanted to do,” Ms. Stahl states.
“I believe it is a community responsibility to protect each other. But as lawyers, we have the unique tools and resources to affect change — both in the lives of our clients and in our legal system — that will go on to protect and empower generations to come.
“Working with such talented and dedicated attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg is a real privilege. I couldn’t have imagined I’d be working alongside colleagues who have the same passion to fight environmental and social injustice that I do. And I know that we all feel the same responsibility to give a voice to those who have suffered from those injustices.”
Companies Shouldn’t Get Away with Harming People
“When I first started with Weitz & Luxenberg, I worked primarily on the litigation involving the weedkiller, Roundup,” Ms. Stahl points out. “Over 100,000 Americans have developed cancer after being exposed to the main ingredient glyphosate.”
Ultimately, Roundup’s manufacturer Monsanto agreed to a settlement. “It’s disheartening to confront the historic power imbalance between large corporations and those impacted by their dangerous products. But I was fortunate to be part of the team helping thousands of people get compensation for their injuries.”
Working on Camp Lejeune Litigation
“I have been advocating for clean, safe drinking water for as long as I can remember. So working on the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune litigation — helping the people who were exposed to contaminated water while they lived or worked there — is something I feel really strongly about,” Ms. Stahl says.
“Those working in service of our country and their families were knowingly provided with water that was unsafe. And so many of them went on to develop horrible illnesses, including cancer, nerve damage, and neurological disorders,” Ms. Stahl continues.
“For decades, they were denied the recourse they deserve. I am so glad they now have an avenue to finally be heard and to seek compensation for their suffering.”
Serving at the Earth Law Center
“Right before joining Weitz & Luxenberg, I worked for the nonprofit Earth Law Center, headquartered in California. One of my proudest contributions was drafting an amicus brief to promote rights of U.S. rivers and their ability to have standing in court.
“An amicus brief is written by someone outside of a lawsuit who can provide expertise that may be helpful to the litigation. The water in the Colorado River is being depleted much faster than it is being replenished. We advocated on behalf of granting the river personhood standing to expand the rights afforded to it for its own sake,” Ms. Stahl details.
Prior Environmental Work
Ms. Stahl has worked for a variety of organizations, including several nonprofits. She has dedicated herself to promoting and educating people about environmental concerns.
At Pace University School of Law, she worked for the Environmental Litigation Clinic, representing public interest environmental groups bringing citizen enforcement actions in federal and state court under the Clean Water Act. She advocated on behalf of clients fighting water pollution from mountain top removal and new construction.
While at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, she conducted extensive research on the environmental and health effects of consumer products containing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the ways in which those products could be phased out in favor of safer alternatives.
The United States EPA and Local Government
At the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2, in New York City, Ms. Stahl interned in the Waste and Toxic Substances Branch. While there, she worked alongside attorneys engaged in administrative actions and litigation involving several environmental statutes. These included the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
When working for the Town of Orangetown in New York, she assisted in modifying town code provisions to limit the industrial use of certain toxic chemicals, including benzene. She also created education materials for the town’s wastewater treatment plant to promote community involvement and understanding of local water systems.
On the Personal Side
Ms. Stahl is licensed to practice law in New York. She earned her J.D. from Pace University School of Law in White Plains, New York. For her bachelor’s degree, she completed a double major — environmental studies and studio art — at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Outside the office, Ms. Stahl spends time visiting museums and art galleries in addition to creating art of her own. She loves everything from painting and drawing to sculpting and printmaking. She also enjoys creative writing, baking, and learning to play different musical instruments.
