Tanya W. Sample

Tanya Williams Sample brings nearly two decades of experience in civil rights, employment, and education law to Kastner, Westman & Wilkins. Tanya’s legal career is defined by her commitment to advancing equity, compliance, and effective conflict resolution for educational institutions and employers.

After earning her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Tanya began her practice as a labor and employment associate. In this role, Tanya also represented school districts in employment and special education matters, gaining expertise in litigation and investigations. She then joined the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, where she served as a Staff Attorney and Senior Attorney for over 17 years. In this role, Tanya investigated discrimination claims under Title IX, Title VI, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, drafted complex determination documents, and negotiated compliance agreements.

Tanya’s approach is both strategic and pragmatic. Her expertise in project management and negotiation has been instrumental in resolving high-stakes matters, including pay equity agreements.

Tanya is a frequent speaker on Title IX and civil rights issues. She is also a trained mediator and has contributed to national policy revisions, notably working directly with the Deputy Assistant Secretary on updates to the Office for Civil Rights’ Case Processing Manual.