Samantha Drysdale

Senior Associate
Irvine
+1 714-557-7990
[email protected]
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Samantha Drysdale

Senior Associate
“Litigation isn’t just a legal battle—it’s a strategic opportunity. I work to protect our clients’ interests while positioning them for leverage, strength, and lasting outcomes.”

Samantha Drysdale helps clients navigate business-critical litigation, with a focus on commercial disputes and matters requiring immediate relief. Known for her tactical mindset, she drives outcomes from the earliest stages of litigation through trial.

Her experience spans industries and includes complex cases involving trade secret misappropriation, fraud, false advertising, breach of contract, defamation, and interference with business relationships. She is particularly skilled in leveraging restraining orders as strategic tools, securing legal protections while creating leverage that often leads to meaningful remedies or early resolution.

Sam’s litigation work has yielded multimillion-dollar wins, including a $94.5 million judgment in a contractual interference case, a $12 million fraud judgment for an employer, and an $8 million award tied to a promissory note. She aligns litigation strategy with broader business priorities, balancing assertive advocacy with risk, cost, and reputational concerns.

A former summer associate at the firm, Sam now co-chairs the Associate Liaison Committee and previously led the Women Attorneys of MR. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Orange County Sports Commission, where her leadership reflects a commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and a strong, inclusive firm culture.

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Associated Industries

Insurance

Associated Practice Areas

Commercial & Business Litigation

Representative Matters

  • Secured a $94.25 million default judgment in favor of a mission-driven community development financial institution, recognized nationally for its efforts to expand homeownership in underbanked communities. This substantial award followed an inquest where expert testimony played a pivotal role in establishing the damages amount.
  • Represented a client in a theft case against a former employee who embezzled over $1 million. Despite creative service efforts, the defendant failed to respond to the complaint, leading to discovery via subpoena. After preparing a default prove-up package, including punitive damages, the court awarded a total judgment of $12,038,709.60, encompassing both compensatory and punitive damages.
  • Successfully resolved a breach of contract claim involving international service of process. The case involved substantial efforts to serve the defendant via the Hague Convention and contentious motions to dismiss based on service and personal jurisdiction. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of our client, resulting in a nearly $8 million judgment after persuading the court to allow supplemental briefing.
  • Obtained a very favorable judgment following a jury trial in a malicious prosecution case, where the court awarded the full amount of requested fees. The representation included preparing a Motion for Publication, drafting discovery, conducting research to lock in testimony for a Motion for Summary Judgment, and acting as second chair during trial. Additionally, post-trial motions were successfully drafted, including a Motion for New Trial and Renewed JMOL.
  • Aided counsel in recovering $4.1M for an investor who sought recovery of his $750,000 investment—this after it was discovered that investment funds were used to purchase personal items. Assisted trial preparation by drafting motions, developing trial strategy, and preparing a compelling presentation for closing argument.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
Community Involvement
  • Orange County Sports Commission (Advisory Board Member)
Education
  • University of California Davis School of Law, J.D.
  • Rice University, B.A.

Recognition

  • Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2020-2025)

Samantha Drysdale

Senior Associate
Irvine
+1 714-557-7990
[email protected]
“Litigation isn’t just a legal battle—it’s a strategic opportunity. I work to protect our clients’ interests while positioning them for leverage, strength, and lasting outcomes.”
Overview

Samantha Drysdale helps clients navigate business-critical litigation, with a focus on commercial disputes and matters requiring immediate relief. Known for her tactical mindset, she drives outcomes from the earliest stages of litigation through trial.

Her experience spans industries and includes complex cases involving trade secret misappropriation, fraud, false advertising, breach of contract, defamation, and interference with business relationships. She is particularly skilled in leveraging restraining orders as strategic tools, securing legal protections while creating leverage that often leads to meaningful remedies or early resolution.

Sam’s litigation work has yielded multimillion-dollar wins, including a $94.5 million judgment in a contractual interference case, a $12 million fraud judgment for an employer, and an $8 million award tied to a promissory note. She aligns litigation strategy with broader business priorities, balancing assertive advocacy with risk, cost, and reputational concerns.

A former summer associate at the firm, Sam now co-chairs the Associate Liaison Committee and previously led the Women Attorneys of MR. She also serves on the Advisory Board of the Orange County Sports Commission, where her leadership reflects a commitment to mentorship, community engagement, and a strong, inclusive firm culture.

Practice Area

Insurance

Commercial & Business Litigation

Representative Matters

  • Secured a $94.25 million default judgment in favor of a mission-driven community development financial institution, recognized nationally for its efforts to expand homeownership in underbanked communities. This substantial award followed an inquest where expert testimony played a pivotal role in establishing the damages amount.
  • Represented a client in a theft case against a former employee who embezzled over $1 million. Despite creative service efforts, the defendant failed to respond to the complaint, leading to discovery via subpoena. After preparing a default prove-up package, including punitive damages, the court awarded a total judgment of $12,038,709.60, encompassing both compensatory and punitive damages.
  • Successfully resolved a breach of contract claim involving international service of process. The case involved substantial efforts to serve the defendant via the Hague Convention and contentious motions to dismiss based on service and personal jurisdiction. Ultimately, the court ruled in favor of our client, resulting in a nearly $8 million judgment after persuading the court to allow supplemental briefing.
  • Obtained a very favorable judgment following a jury trial in a malicious prosecution case, where the court awarded the full amount of requested fees. The representation included preparing a Motion for Publication, drafting discovery, conducting research to lock in testimony for a Motion for Summary Judgment, and acting as second chair during trial. Additionally, post-trial motions were successfully drafted, including a Motion for New Trial and Renewed JMOL.
  • Aided counsel in recovering $4.1M for an investor who sought recovery of his $750,000 investment—this after it was discovered that investment funds were used to purchase personal items. Assisted trial preparation by drafting motions, developing trial strategy, and preparing a compelling presentation for closing argument.

Credentials

Bar & Court Admissions
  • California
Community Involvement
  • Orange County Sports Commission (Advisory Board Member)
Education
  • University of California Davis School of Law, J.D.
  • Rice University, B.A.
Recognition
  • Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine (2020-2025)