Sam Shapiro

Sam Shapiro

Sam Shapiro has a broad litigation practice that includes civil rights cases and commercial matters. Mr. Shapiro has worked on cases involving police and correction officer misconduct, housing discrimination, disability discrimination, First Amendment rights, wrongful conviction, and labor rights. He has also represented commercial clients in real estate disputes, arbitrations, and obtaining discovery for use in foreign proceedings.

Prior to joining the firm in 2010, Mr. Shapiro worked at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights and the International Organization for Migration in Geneva. He also served as a Fellow for Global Rights in Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, documenting economic and social rights abuses caused by the exploitation of natural resources. Mr. Shapiro graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center where he served as a senior editor on the Georgetown Journal of International Law.

Mr. Shapiro was named a “Rising Star” from 2018-2020 and a “Super Lawyer” in 2021. He was named to Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers” list in 2023.

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Education

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2008

Northwestern University, B.A., 2004

Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
New York

Attorney News

Representative Cases

Obtained a $3.5 million settlement for the twelve named plaintiffs in Nunez v. New York. This class action suit was brought by ECBAWM together with the Legal Aid Society’s Prisoners’ Rights Project on behalf of inmates at Rikers Island who were severely injured by correctional officers and to make systemic changes to halt the excessive violence plaguing the jail there. Nunez, et al. v. New York, et al., No. 11 Civ. 5845 (S.D.N.Y.).  Read more here and here.

Secured the disclosure of materials relating to the Madoff fraud for use in a Swiss criminal proceeding. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals held that the materials sought were appropriately subject to disclosure under 28 U.S.C. § 1782, and the Court ordered the immediate production of the materials. In Re Application for an Order Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 to Conduct Discovery for Use in Foreign Proceedings, No. 14 Civ. 2807 (2d Cir.).

Examined and cross-examined witnesses on behalf of a bank and real estate development company in a four-week trial involving a commercial lease dispute in federal court against Home Depot. Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. v. G&S Investors/Willow Park L.P. et al., No. 98 Civ. 6719 & 00 Civ. 0676 (E.D.N.Y.).

Obtained a favorable monetary settlement for the family and estate of James Young, an unarmed man who was choked to death by a member of the NYPD while sitting alone on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn. Young v. City of New York, et al., No. 12 Civ. 4190 (E.D.N.Y.).

Obtained a favorable settlement in a case challenging the NYPD’s practice of manufacturing misdemeanor charges for marijuana possession. Along with the Bronx Defenders, ECBAWM represented six plaintiffs who received misdemeanor charges when they should have received minor violations. Felix, et al. v. City of New York, et al., No. 13 Civ. 2941 (S.D.N.Y.).

Obtained an injunctive and monetary settlement in a case alleging race discrimination at a 74-unit rental apartment building in the Nassau County village of Mineola. The settlement the adoption of non-discriminatory rental policies, advertising available apartments, and attending fair housing training. ERASE Racism, et al. v. LLR Realty, LLC, et al., No. 13 Civ. 4821 (E.D.N.Y.).

Obtained over $12 million settlement on behalf of the three Badger girls who were killed in a house fire.

Show More REPRESENtATIVE CASES (3)

Publications

  • Paola Pace and Sam Shapiro (2009) (ed. MJ. Peiro). “Migration and the Right to Health in Europe”. Background Paper developed within the IOM International Migration Law and Legal Affairs Department in the framework of the IOM project “Assisting Migrants and Communities (AMAC): Analysis of Social Determinants of Health and Health Inequalities”

  • “A Refresher on Organizational Standing”

    March 3, 2017  —  

    American Bar Association

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., cum laude, 2008

Northwestern University, B.A., 2004

Admissions

U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
New York