Marie Napoli ’89C, ’93L

, ,Marie Napoli 89C, 93L Puts Catholic Values into Action

arie Napoli found her calling in the law early

Mon. Raised on Long Island in a large, close-knit Catholic family, she was just a teenager when she started working at her father’s law firm. An industrious St. John’s Law alumnus with a deep belief in protecting the dignity and rights of others, he taught her the business from the ground up. Guided by that formative experience, Napoli began her legal studies at St. John’s, where she found a curriculum and culture animated by the Vincentian value of helping those in need.

At the Law School, Napoli also found a kindred spirit in fellow student Paul Napoli ’92. After earning their J.D.s, they married, had children, and built a work-life partnership that has taken them—individually and together—to professional heights. As a founding partner at Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, Marie Napoli is one of very few women leading a national plaintiff-side litigation firm. She has earned recognition as a fierce advocate for victims of defective prescriptions drugs and medical devices, asbestos-related diseases, aviation accidents, and other serious personal injuries.

“My work dovetails with my Catholic values as I represent those who are unable to help and protect themselves,” Napoli says. “Whether they’re 9/11 first responders, New York families destroyed by the opioid crisis, or other injured individuals or municipalities, I fight for regular folks looking to be made whole. Even if we can’t really make them whole, we can get them consideration to help ease their suffering and chill malicious behavior by companies.”

In addition to serving on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation (MDL 2804), Napoli Shkolnik is Co-Lead Counsel in the New York Opioid Cost Recovery Litigation. The firm is also giving voice to the hurt and disenfranchised as Co-Liaison Council in the Flint Water Crisis Class Action Litigation. “In this landmark case, children and others in the community were exposed to lead contaminated water due to the negligence of companies, agencies, and elected officials,” Napoli explains. “We strongly feel it’s an example of environmental racism, and we’re right at the table negotiating directly for our clients.”

As its advocacy in Flint continues, Napoli Shkolnik has teamed with Ben Crump, the acclaimed civil rights attorney who represents the families of Michael Brown, George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Breonna Taylor, and other victims of anti-Black violence and racism. “I’m very proud of this partnership,” says Napoli. “At its core, in the Flint case, it’s about bringing awareness on matters of environmental discrimination affecting marginalized communities. Although the law is slow to recognize such claims, we’re working hard to change that.”

Napoli is also proud that so much of her hard work, in Flint and on other matters, benefits women. “Throughout my career, I’ve made it a priority to help women who have been injured, whether physically or as victims of sexual harassment and discrimination,” she shares. “I’ve experienced discrimination, and I want to protect women and correct those wrongs. I want to be part of the movement that continues to break the glass ceiling. I also want to be a role model to my daughters and others through my leadership in mass tort litigations as well as my speaking engagements, media appearances, and publications. I want to show them what’s possible.”

Reflecting on her professional path, and on the Catholic values that imbue and shape it, Napoli offers this advice to her fellow alumnae and to women studying at St. John’s Law: “Make sure you’re working towards your goal and not someone else’s. Surround yourself with similarly minded people who share in your passions, which will lead to individual and shared success. If your voice isn’t heard, or is devalued, move on. Have a true heart and believe in yourself and you will succeed.”