Primarily focusing on securities litigation and enforcement matters, Samantha Kats is a highly knowledgeable litigator regularly defending Fortune 500 companies in the financial and investment management industries in customer and intra-industry disputes and regulatory actions brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), state securities regulators, and other federal and state regulators.
More broadly, Samantha represents corporate, nonprofit and financial institution clients in a wide variety of matters — including commercial contract disputes, internal investigations, employment-related disputes, commercial claims and personal injury claims in federal and state courts, as well as private and FINRA arbitration. Samantha also has experience in and regularly handles matters involving will contests, trust disputes, estate litigation, powers of attorney and guardianships. She has served as lead counsel in trials and handled many hearings, mediations, arbitrations and depositions.
During law school, Samantha was a summer associate at Stradley Ronon and a summer law intern in the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, District Attorney’s Office.
Featured Representative Matters
On behalf of a wealth management firm, successfully argued for the dismissal of claims at the preliminary stage of litigation in a $1.2 million action filed in state court. The court agreed the claims were subject to mandatory arbitration before FINRA and dismissed the case in its entirety without prejudice.
Represented a futures commission merchant in a state court action by traders seeking over $1 billion in damages relating to trades on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Secured the dismissal of all charges brought against two mutual fund independent trustees by the SEC in the first enforcement action brought pursuant to Rule 22e-4 (the Liquidity Rule) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, a critical win for the asset management industry.
Defended a financial services company in a FINRA arbitration against various claims including wrongful termination, defamation, tortious interference, unfair competition, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of FINRA conduct rules and breach of contract. The claimants sought more than $4 million in damages, and after 14 days of hearing, the arbitration panel issued an award denying the claimants’ claims in their entirety.
Represented a financial services company and its CEO in obtaining the dismissal of the CEO on a motion to dismiss after oral argument, and ultimately the dismissal of the entire case on summary judgment.
Obtained the complete dismissal of claims against a property owner after securing admission from the plaintiff during deposition that the incident did not occur at the location alleged in the complaint.
Independently handled a bench trial involving a dispute among co-executors of an estate, resulting in the court granting petitions filed on behalf of the co-executor client and compelling settlement of a pending wrongful death and survival action as requested on behalf of the client.
Obtained a mandatory injunction from the Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas requiring a reassessment of all property in Delaware County and a decision acknowledging the pervasive inequities in the taxation of properties due to the county’s failure to reassess properties since 1998.
Obtained dismissal of a lawsuit against a financial institution based on a mandatory binding arbitration clause.
Obtained dismissals with prejudice of two stale arbitration claims filed against a financial institution based on six-year eligibility grounds after multiple court conferences, motions to strike, preliminary objections and oral arguments.
Defended a local university in a significant victory in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by obtaining a dismissal of all the plaintiff’s discrimination claims before trial.
Obtained a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction on behalf of a major operator of cancer treatment hospitals and outpatient clinics against a biotechnology company refusing to ensure the preservation of unique cancer vaccines.
Obtained a favorable settlement for numerous financial institutions and lenders in consumer class action litigation.
Defended the executor of an estate and obtained complete dismissal with prejudice of claims for tortious interference with an inheritance and conspiracy in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Obtained termination of plenary guardianship for a client who regained capacity.
Community Impact
Samantha serves as vice president of the board of directors and chair of the recruitment committee of Children’s Village, a nonprofit organization that provides early childhood education and school-age academic enrichment distinguished by excellence and family diversity. She also serves as vice president of the board of directors and co-chair of the endowment committee of the Montgomery County Victim Services Center, a nonprofit organization that provides free and confidential comprehensive support services to those who have been affected by crime.
At Villanova Law, Samantha was a member of the Civil Justice Clinic. She also completed an externship at Philadelphia VIP, an organization providing pro bono legal services in Philadelphia.
Memberships
Member, Stradley Ronon Hiring Committee
Member, Society of Professional Women
Vice President, Board of Directors; Chair, Recruitment Committee, Children's Village
Vice President, Board of Directors; Co-Chair, Endowment Committee, Victim Services Center of Montgomery County
Recognitions
Legal Lions of the Week, Law360 (2025)
The Best Lawyers in America (Litigation - Trusts and Estates; Trusts and Estates) (2024-26)
