On July 17, 2025, Brown, Goldstein & Levy attorney Samantha Westrum spoke to graduate students at Georgetown University as a guest lecturer in the course Health Care Managerial Ethics and Law.
Sam led a dynamic discussion on Disability Justice—what it is, why it matters, and how systemic ableism in healthcare continues to present barriers for patients with disabilities. As part of the conversation, she walked students through a case review of Bone v. UNCHS, a case handled by BGL attorneys. She emphasized how the lawsuit could have been prevented if the healthcare provider had prioritized accessibility from the outset.
To deepen student engagement, Sam facilitated a role-playing case study that invited students to take on the roles of healthcare providers, disability rights advocates, and state legislators. Together, they worked through the obligations and mechanisms for healthcare providers to offer equitable access for all patients.
Prior to joining Brown, Goldstein & Levy, Sam served as a Stew Dunn Legal Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, where she litigated cases protecting the rights of incarcerated individuals, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ communities, and those seeking reproductive care. Her work included arguing in both federal and state courts, leading discovery, and negotiating settlements.
At BGL, Sam centers her legal practice on building strong client relationships. She prioritizes open communication and deeply values listening to clients with compassion, honoring each person’s unique identity and story. Her approach ensures clients feel seen and heard throughout the legal process—finding justice not only in the outcome, but in the journey.
Learn more about Samantha Westrum and her practice here.
Founded in 1982, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a law firm based in Baltimore, Maryland, with an office in Washington, DC. The firm is nationally recognized in a wide variety of practice areas, including complex civil and commercial litigation, civil rights, health care, family law, and criminal defense. Above all else, Brown, Goldstein & Levy is a client-centered law firm that brings decades of experience and passionate, effective advocacy to your fight for justice.