Samantha-Anne Nadolny has built a distinguished career defined by leadership, resilience, and a deep commitment to integrity in the legal field. She currently serves as General Counsel and Vice President of Legal & Compliance for Primary Arms, a Houston-based firearms & optics manufacturing company. In this role, she oversees all legal and compliance matters, helping the organization make sound, ethical, and strategic decisions. Her journey to this position reflects years of dedication to her profession and a willingness to grow through diverse experiences. We at CIO Global, are proud to introduce Samantha-Anne Nadolny as one of the 05 Most Influential Legal Professionals to Follow in 2025.
Before joining Primary Arms, Samantha-Anne took a year-long philanthropic sabbatical to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Houston Young Lawyers Foundation. This opportunity allowed her to give back to the community and mentor young professionals in law. Prior to that, she spent four years as Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Select Water Solutions, formerly known as Select Energy Services. Her career also includes serving as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Citelum US, an EDF Groupe company, and as corporate counsel for Sterling Construction. Each role strengthened her expertise in corporate law, compliance, and leadership, shaping her into the trusted legal professional she is today.
“Stand firm in your integrity and never compromise on what defines you.”
Samantha-Anne’s passion for law began early in life, inspired by her uncle, who was a federal judge. She fondly recalls listening to his courtroom stories as a child, fascinated by the role of justice in people’s lives. Shows like Law & Order further fueled her curiosity, giving her a glimpse into the impact legal professionals can have on society. That early inspiration evolved into a lifelong passion for the law, ethics, and mentorship. She believes the role of legal professionals has changed dramatically over the years. “Legal professionals are true business advisors now,” she says. “It’s not just about what is legal or not. The real value lies in understanding and mitigating risk for the business as a whole.” For her, the most effective General Counsel is one who actively participates in every area of the company, guiding teams and ensuring that sound legal and ethical practices are embedded in every decision.
Samantha-Anne also sees technology reshaping the legal landscape. She views artificial intelligence as a major trend transforming how legal departments function. With AI-driven tools and software, legal teams can become more efficient and insightful, focusing on strategic initiatives and risk management and mitigation rather than repetitive tasks. She believes embracing technology is essential for modern legal professionals to stay ahead in a rapidly changing business world.
Leadership and mentorship are central to Samantha-Anne’s philosophy. She leads a young legal team and is deeply committed to creating an environment where every team member feels encouraged to grow and succeed. Having spent her career in largely male-dominated industries, she takes pride in being a role model for young women in law. “I want them to see that they can succeed in an industry that might still not look like them,” she says. “I want to be the face someone can relate to when they think, ‘I can do that too.’”
Her advice to aspiring lawyers is simple but powerful: “Be great. In every single thing you do. That includes being great at learning and growing.” Samantha-Anne believes excellence is not just about results but about the attitude one brings to each challenge. What sets her approach apart is her practical understanding of risk. She recognizes that business inherently involves risk, and the role of legal counsel is to balance that reality with legal responsibility. “Someone who opposes all risk isn’t valuable because they hold back growth,” she explains. “But being too risky opens you up to liability. The key is to find balance.” This balanced and realistic approach has made her a trusted advisor in every organization she has served.
“Today’s legal professionals are true business advisors who help manage and reduce risk.”
Integrity, for Samantha-Anne, is the foundation of everything. In a world where ethical lines can sometimes blur, she believes in staying true to one’s principles. “Only you can know your lines in integrity,” she says. “Be willing to stand up for what matters to you and never compromise on something that compromises who you are.”
Through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering values, Samantha-Anne Nadolny continues to shape the future of legal practice with grace and conviction. Her story is one of constant growth, guided by purpose and a belief that great lawyers not only protect their companies but also help them thrive responsibly in an ever-evolving world.
“Strive to be great in everything you do, including learning and growing.”