Samantha Phillips Beers

Biography

Samantha has significant experience in environmental law, policy, and economic development, dedicating over 30 years to enhancing community growth and resilience by managing federal programs addressing air, water, land, climate, hazardous waste, superfund, and lead issues. As a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) Director, her career highlights include leading economic revitalization and sustainable development initiatives across Appalachia, building stakeholder capacity to promoting responsible private public partnerships to ensure long-term prosperity for all. Samanatha counsels clients on a variety of U.S. EPA enforcement issues arising under the 17 federally enforceable regulatory areas.

In her 33-year career with the U.S. EPA’s Region 3 office, which serves Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and 7 federally recognized tribes, she utilized her knowledge of environmental law and policy to forge partnerships that benefited both economic development and community health. Samantha’s extensive background in environmental law has been pivotal in navigating the challenges associated with these projects, underpinning her approach to achieving comprehensive community revitalization and development.

In addition, she managed Region 3 programs including Environmental Justice (EJ), Children’s Health, Environmental Education, Opportunity Zones, Tribal Program, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Licensed In

  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania

Education

  • J.D. University of California Berkeley School of Law
  • B.A. Haverford College

Memberships

  • Puentes de Salud, Board Chair (2013 – Present)
  • American College of Environmental Attorneys (ACOEL) Fellow (2022)

Achievements

• Winner, 2015 Hispanic Choice Awards Community Advocate of the Year.

Speaking Engagements

  • Groundtruth: EJ & ESG, Intersected, People Places Planet Podcast, Episode 7, Season 4, March 17, 2022
  • The Future of Environmental Justice, RREC Workshop, January 2023
  • Keynote Speaker, Environmental & Emerging Claim Manager Association Annual Conference, April 2023
  • Environmental Justice and Community Outreach, WV Manufacturing Energy Growth Summit, May 2023
  • Environmental Justice and the Cumulative Impact Assessment Tool, American Bar Association Seer 31st Conference, October 2023
  • Environmental Justice and the Cumulative Impact Assessment Tool, American Association of Railroads Legal Conference, November 2023

Publications

Related Services

Related News & Resources

Press Releases
CANONSBURG, Pa. – Steptoe & Johnson is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the Sp...
Press Releases
PITTSBURGH – Samantha Phillips Beers has joined the Pittsburgh office of Steptoe & Jo...

Stay informed. Sign up for our mailing lists.

Stay Informed

All of our news and resources are shared electronically. Select your preferred list(s) below.(Required)