Samantha Schnier focuses on complex commercial litigation and white collar defense and investigation. She has experience in all stages of litigation, including drafting pleadings and dispositive motions, taking and defending depositions, managing fact and expert discovery, preparing cases for trial, and drafting appellate briefs. She also regularly represents both corporate and individual clients in sensitive investigations and governmental inquiries.
Prior to joining Hueston Hennigan, Ms. Schnier was an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, where she represented clients in securities litigation, contract disputes, bankruptcy proceedings and internal investigations.
During law school, Ms. Schnier was a clinical intern with the New York Civil Liberties Union and a teaching assistant in the lawyering program. She also served as senior editor for the Journal of Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.
Experience
Secured a favorable plea agreement, including a sentencing recommendation from the Government of probation, for Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, on federal corruption charges in an alleged bribery scheme involving a public official. (See “Marilyn Flynn, ex-USC dean in corruption case with Ridley-Thomas, sentenced to 3 years probation,” Los Angeles Times).
Won a complete arbitration trial victory on all claims and counterclaims for a prominent Napa winery and its majority owner against the winery’s founder, former CEO, and minority owner in a case alleging fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and other claims. The award included more than $5 million in damages, fees and costs, in addition to an extraordinary order dissociating the defendant from his role as a member of the company.
Won “landmark” opioid trial for Endo Pharmaceuticals in a closely watched $50 billion California case alleging public nuisance, unfair competition, and false advertising. Obtained a full defense verdict following a four-month trial. The win was hailed as “giv[ing] drug companies their first major victory in the litigation brought by cities and counties across the country over the opioid crisis,” American Lawyer. (See “How Hueston Hennigan Notched A Landmark Opioid Trial Win,” Law360; “Opioid Makers Win Major Victory in California Trial,” New York Times; “Drug Makers Handed First Win Out of Thousands of National Opioid Crisis Lawsuits,” Newsweek).
Obtained a favorable settlement, after two weeks of trial, for the country’s largest integrated health care system in a lawsuit brought by a group of California hospitals seeking hundreds of millions of dollars for emergency medical services provided to its members.
Representing a publicly traded American multi-brand restaurant operator in a combined DOJ and SEC investigation.
Secured a declination of prosecution for Southern California Edison in connection with the 2018 Woolsey Fire and represents the company in civil litigation arising from the fire.
Obtained a preliminary injunction on behalf of Amgen, holding that information related to potential price changes submitted to the state pursuant to California Senate Bill 17 is protectable trade secrets and may not be disclosed in response to a California Public Records Act request. This was a highly watched case with huge implications to the pharmaceutical industry.
Represented Sorrento Therapeutics in a lawsuit alleging intellectual property theft, breach of fiduciary duties, unlawful competition, and breach of contract against two former employees.
Recognitions
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch