Ashley Arraras

Combining Law and Environmentalism

Ashley Arraras is an associate attorney in the Environmental, Toxic Torts, and Consumer Protection Unit of Weitz & Luxenberg.

Ms. Arraras joined the practice group in 2023. Currently, she represents thousands of minors in the social media addiction litigation as part of our firm’s trial team and advocates for individuals and families harmed by defective product design in multidistrict litigation (MDL) and coordinated state actions.

Ms. Arraras plays a key role in building cases for trial. In the social media addiction MDL, she builds the factual record linking platform design features to the mental health harms experienced by users. Her work focuses on identifying and developing evidence that shows what companies knew about the risks of their products and how their design decisions impacted users.

“I always wanted to work on environmental change because it benefits the whole world. My work at Weitz & Luxenberg allows me to align my legal work with environmental activism.”

Environmentally Focused Case Work

Previously, Ms. Arraras worked on W&L ’s class action lawsuit on behalf of victims of the February 2023 freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This incident led to a noxious fire and the combustion of at least six different toxic chemicals.

The fire burned for days - spewing thick, dark, smoke over the East Palestine community and surrounding areas. Both state and federal officials ordered an evacuation.

As many as 2,000 or more residents were exposed to the smoke from the fire. Many have suffered severe injury due to the Norfolk Southern Railway Company’s negligence. People have suffered symptoms related to exposure to polluted air, soil, and drinking and groundwater.

The railway company’s actions - after and in response to the primary event - failed to exercise due care. Norfolk Southern Railway should have known burning hundreds of thousands of pounds of volatile substances is hazardous to human health and contaminates local environments.

Prior Experience Highlights

Before coming to W&L, Ms. Arraras worked on complex litigation matters across multiple practice areas, for several other firms. She worked with the U.S. Department of Justice, where she analyzed and evaluated business records, correspondence, recordings, and deposition transcripts. She did this to aid the Assistant United States Attorneys with decisions on trial strategies pertaining to the National Park Service.

Additionally, Ms. Arraras served as a legal fellow at the Center for Biological Diversity in Washington, D.C. While there, her work involved acting as a liaison between the organization and members of Congress and their legislative staff. She also was busy coordinating campaigns with the environmental community and interested stakeholders, and creating a comprehensive settlement agreements database for internal use.

On the Personal Side

When not working, Ms. Arraras enjoys hiking, skiing, long walks in the mountains, and writing fiction. She especially values time spent with her two young sons, husband, and their dog.

Presentations & Publications

Contributor and Editorial Committee member, Gardana, R.L., “Damages Recoverable in Maritime Matters, Second Edition,” (January 1, 2020).

Contributor and editor, “Chapter 18, Maritime Security Law; Florida Maritime Law and Practice,” (5th ed. 2017 and 6th ed. 2019).

Author, “Is Newer Technology Always Better?: Why Indigenous Peoples’ Technology Should be Incorporated into the International Fight Against Climate Change,” Sustainable Development Law & Policy, Volume 11: Issue 2, (Winter 2011).