Ebony Griffin-Guerrier, Counsel at Singleton Schreiber, authored “Lawyering With, Not For: Why Community Voices Are the Foundation of Powerful Advocacy,” published by Singleton Schreiber.
In the article, Griffin-Guerrier argues that the most effective impact litigation begins within affected communities, not law offices. She emphasizes that residents living with environmental contamination, corporate negligence, and systemic harm are experts in their own lived experience, and that lawyers serve as strategic partners who amplify community truth through legal tools and institutional access. The piece underscores the importance of trust-building, early relationship development, and framing harm through human impact rather than financial metrics alone.
As Griffin-Guerrier writes, “Communities hold the knowledge. Lawyers bring the tools.”
Pacific Gas & Electric agreed to a $50 million settlement with Shasta County District Attorneys as the result of the massive utility starting the Zogg Fire in 2020.
The 2021 Dixie Fire, one of California’s most devastating wildfires, was officially determined by CAL FIRE to have been caused by Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) equipment. Investigators found that the fire started when a tree came into contact with PG&E’s power lines, resulting in widespread destruction across five counties. This blog examines the legal implications of CAL FIRE’s findings, including PG&E’s liability under the doctrine of inverse condemnation