Attorney and community advocate Samantha Manganaro boasts deep roots in Frederick. She shares how her work in personal injury law has become a platform for storytelling, service and connection. From practicing alongside her father to raising a curious, creative family, her work reflects a deep commitment to people and the place she calls home. She lives on the Frederick County side of Clarksburg with her husband, Dave, and their children, Frankie (8) and Nolan (6).
How does your law practice, Campen and Manganaro, serve people in the Frederick area?
We are primarily personal injury lawyers, recovering for our clients’ injuries and guiding them through insurance claims, traumatic medical issues and even deaths. We also handle wills and estates and minor criminal matters. We’re incredibly proud to serve our hometown of Frederick and truly love this community. Our practice also believes in serving beyond business, with strong involvement in Rotary, local schools and the Maryland Association for Justice.
What do you enjoy about the work?
I love telling my clients’ stories. Insurance adjusters don’t get to meet my clients, so it’s important to thoroughly review medical records and talk with clients about how injuries affect their lives. I don’t want adjusters to see them as medical codes and numbers. No jury or adjuster is convinced by strong-arming without facts. Adjusters are people, and when I’m respectful and I present my client as a person who a jury can sympathize with, it gets results — and gives my client what they deserve: the opportunity to be heard.
Do you have any funny stories or special moments about working with your dad and law partner, Steven Campen?
One of my favorite memories is painting my Frederick office together. I grew up here but had moved away for 15 years. Painting with Dad, laughing and listening to music reminded me of being a kid — and that Frederick is home. Another favorite tradition is our annual holiday cards, which include parody holiday songs we write together. We almost always end up in tears laughing. Many ideas never make the card, but it’s always a lot of fun.
Help us get to know your family—who are they and what do you enjoy together?
Dave and I met at Towson University in 2001 in sociology class. He liked the Scorpions pin on my backpack, and we bonded over music. Now, we have two kids. Dave loves skateboarding, hiking, reading, comic books, and is an amazing illustrator. He home-schools our 8-year-old son, Frankie, who’s obsessed with electricity and wants to be an electrician. Nolan is 6 and attends Friends Meeting School; he loves baking, building games, climbing and making people laugh. We enjoy antique stores, hiking and sharing our hobbies with one another.
What habits or principles help you balance career and family life?
Meditation and gratitude journaling are daily practices that keep me centered. Being an attorney can be isolating, so I prioritize being with people — shout-out to the Key City Rotary Club, where I’ve made some of my closest friends! We bring our kids to service activities, so I don’t have to choose between family and community. I’m also a board member at Second Chances Garage. Serving others always puts life into perspective.
Family Favorites
Dinner: Homemade pasta.
Vacation: Bethany Beach.
Local Attractions: Little Bennett Regional Park and Adventure Park USA
Movie: “Wall-E”
Board Game: Galaxy Trucker
