Profile
With over twenty years of experience, Brigid F. Cech Samole is an appellate advocate who represents clients throughout the country in federal and state court forums. She has handled hundreds of appeals and been lead drafter of substantive case papers filed in the United States Supreme Court, the federal Court of Appeals, and several state supreme courts. Brigid also works with clients and trial counsel to resolve high-stakes business disputes and, when resolution is not possible, serves as a legal advisor and issues advocate at trial.
In addition to her extensive legal experience, Brigid is the Chair of the Miami Appeals & Legal Issues Group, Co-Chair of the Miami Litigation Practice, and Co-Chair of the firm’s Global Women’s Initiative.
Brigid is active in the Miami community currently serving in leadership roles at Chapman Partnership for the Homeless and Legal Services of Greater Miami.
Concentrations
- Appellate practice
- Bankruptcy appeals
- Environmental and land use litigation
- Financial regulatory and compliance
- Litigation trial support
- Mass torts and multidistrict litigation
- Pharmaceutical, medical device and health care litigation
- Products liability litigation
- Securities litigation
- White collar criminal defense and fraud litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Lead appellate counsel for Fortune 100 company in high-profile discrimination case. After extensive briefing and oral argument, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit issued a lengthy opinion, which agreed with arguments presented in support of the company’s position and clarified that law on the issues presented.
- Lead appellate counsel for large financial institution in an appeal that raised numerous issues, including breach of contract and tortious interference. In particular, the case presented innovative issues of law relating admission of evidence and a mixed question of law and fact as to what constitutes an intentional and unjustified interference with a business relationship. The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit accepted the arguments set forth in the brief and affirmed.
- Lead appellate counsel for consumer products company in high-stakes discrimination case. Defended jury verdict from a six-week jury trial, in which a former executive alleged discrimination. On appeal, the former executive raised numerous purported errors and legal issues, all of which were rejected by the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal in a detailed opinion that accepted the arguments set forth in our client’s brief.
- Lead appellate counsel for large financial institution in a contract dispute stemming from an $11 million loan agreement regarding the acquisition, financing, and renovation of a 198-unit apartment complex. After an extensive and interactive oral argument, the Third District Court of Appeals, State of Florida, agreed with the arguments presented, affirmed the decisions, and subsequently, denied rehearing.
- Member of appellate team that represented a United States territorial government, and obtained precedent-setting 118-page opinion from the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which reversed key portions of the district court’s decision. This high-stakes appeal concerned complex legal issues relating to the government’s retirement system, in which the government had a judgment against it in the amount of $63 million and future potential liability of up to $1.6 billion. This was an enormous win for our client, and helped it to avoid near-certain financial ruin.
- One of appellate team leads that obtained a rare reversal of a criminal conviction by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit secured for our client who was convicted in a $750 million securities fraud prosecution. The Fifth Circuit reversed for a new trial, finding error in the district court’s exclusion of the SEC’s investigation findings – which had cleared our client of any wrongdoing – and in the admission of alleged health care fraud by a purchaser of the company’s products.
- Legal Intern, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Appellate Practice, 2023-2025
- Listed, Chambers USA Guide, Litigation: Appellate, 2023-2024
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2021-2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States
- Dispute Resolution - Appellate: Supreme Courts (States and Federal), 2020 and 2024
- Dispute Resolution - Appellate: Court of Appeals, 2020
- Selected, Circle of Excellence Award in Appellate Practice, Miami Dade Bar, 2023
- Selected, Daily Business Review, "Best Mentors," 2022
- Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer," 2020-2021
- Listed, South Florida Business Journal, "Most Influential Women," 2020
- Listed, Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2009-2010 and 2013-2017
- Team Member, Daily Business Review, "Most Effective Lawyers - Appellate," 2017
- Finalist, Team Member, "Most Effective Lawyers - Appellate," 2010
- Listed, Daily Business Review, "Rising Stars 40 Under 40," 2015
- Listed, South Florida Business Journal, "40 Under 40," 2015
- Team Member, Champions of Equality Award (based on role in landmark Florida gay adoption case), SAVE DADE Foundation, May 2011
- Team Member, a Law360 "Appellate Practice Group of the Year," 2010
- Member, Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Florida, 2024
- Board Member, Chapman Partnership, Board of Trustees
- Chair, Board of Trustees
- Executive Board Member
- Board Member, Board of Trustees
- Chair, Development, 2019-2023
- Co-Chair, Womenade, 2016-2021
- Co-Chair, Take A Walk In Her Shoes Fundraiser, 2016-2021
- Co-Chair, Leadership Committee, Legal Services of Greater Miami
- Board Member, Florida Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society
- Chair, Pro Bono, Greenberg Traurig (Miami), 2017-2022
- Liaison, Women’s Initiative, Greenberg Traurig (Miami), 2014-2020
- Member, The Florida Bar
- Member, The Illinois Bar
Credentials
Education
- J.D., Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, 2002
- B.J., Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1999
Admissions
- Florida
- Illinois
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida