Prior Work Experience

Legal Work Highlights

Drafted and argued successful motion to compel arbitration of a consumer-finance dispute, prevailing over plaintiff’s argument that the defendant had waived arbitral rights by previously filing a collection action in Kentucky circuit court.

Drafted successful motion to dismiss multimillion-dollar shareholder derivative action, which alleged that a former corporate officer of a large Kentucky business defrauded the company and breached fiduciary duties to the company.

Represented regional construction company in AAA arbitration over breach-of-contract claim against purchaser. Succeeded in obtaining pre-hearing dismissal of respondent’s counterclaim for unfair trade practices. Proceeded with hearing on breach-of-contract claim, resulting in a favorable post-hearing settlement before the arbitrator rendered an award.

Assisted a regional telecoms company in AAA arbitration seeking compensation for a customer’s breach of an exclusive-services contract, resulting in a favorable settlement prior to the hearing.

Worked as part of a team representing a university administrator who alleged a wrongful termination, resulting in significant and favorable settlement for the administrator without filing suit.

Researched, planned, and drafted successful motion to dissolve temporary restraining order that precluded a large pension fund from changing the terms of certain health benefits, prevailing on the argument that plaintiffs could not demonstrate irreparable harm due to the changes in the terms of their health-insurance coverage.

Argued for and obtained an order piercing the corporate veil of a Kentucky company and holding its principal personally liable for the company’s six-figure debt, based on the principal’s comingling of corporate bank accounts with personal debts and expenses, which amounted to fraud.

Assisted team representing insurer in a six-figure retroactive or “retro” premium dispute with an insured, resulting in a favorable settlement shortly after a complaint was filed.

Worked on team that negotiated a successful and amicable “corporate divorce” between horse farm owners and trainers, foreclosing the need for litigation over the parties’ claims of breach of contract and fiduciary duties, and allowing the parties to pursue separate interests on mutually agreeable terms.

Won full judgment in favor of a group of South Florida investors who claimed fraudulent inducement and breach of contract in entering a $500,000 contract for chartered flight services.

Drafted and argued motion to dismiss malicious prosecution action, resulting in a complete dismissal and judgment in client’s favor.

Drafted successful motion for summary judgment in a complex fiduciary duty and legal malpractice dispute arising from an auction of more than 100 thoroughbred horses in Keeneland.

Negotiated dismissal of a Kentucky Open Records Act claim, with both sides bearing their own fees and costs, which asserted that a client had willfully withheld public records in violation of open-records laws.

Drafted a motion to show cause why a state agency should not be held in contempt for violating a federal judge’s confidentiality order. Following a sealed hearing, the judge granted the motion and held the agency in contempt

Pro Bono Matters

Served as attorney ad litem for a 15-year-old human-trafficking victim. Sam successfully obtained dismissal of a criminal charge filed against the victim in California, convincing the prosecutors to pursue the traffickers instead.

Worked on a team to represent an asylum applicant who had been assaulted by police in her native country.

Served as pro bono attorney for Miami “Art Law,” which provided free legal services to regional artists. Currently volunteers with the Louisville Urban League’s “Reilly Reentry” initiative, which assists in expunging criminal convictions.

Law School

University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 2013, summa cum laude (Class rank 2/470)

Undergraduate School

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A., Journalism, 2010, Highest Honors, minor in PPE (Philosophy/Politics/Economics)

Sam served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Judge Paul C. Huck

Sam is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

Florida, 2013

Kentucky, 2016

Local & National Recognition

SuperLawyers “Rising Star”® in Kentucky litigation, 2018-2020

Scholarship and Leadership Award, American Law Institute, 2013: The Dean of UM Law School personally selected Sam to receive this award, which recognized the graduate with the most-outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership.

University of Miami School of Law academic recognition: Bruce J. Winnick Award for Academic Achievement (top 1 percent of class); Order of the Coif; Miami Law “Ten to Watch”; Miami Law Review Executive Board Member; Soia Mentschikoff Fellow (full-tuition academic scholarship); “Book” awards (highest overall score) in Contracts, Property, Legal Writing, Environmental Law, Intellectual Property, Civil Procedure II, Elements of Law; Dean’s List (all 6 semesters); Dean’s Fellow.

UNC-Chapel Hill School of Journalism and Mass Communication academic recognition: Dean’s merit scholar; graduate with highest honor’s; senior thesis/ research report on the “creative destruction” of the Internet and its effect on community newspapers.

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Vice-chair, Louisville Bar Association Litigation Section, 2019

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, local board member and volunteer (2017-2018)

Jefferson County Public Schools, financial advisory committee member (2017-2018)

Louisville Urban League, Reilly Reentry Project pro bono volunteer

Kentucky Refugee Ministries, pro bono attorney

Miami Art Law, 2012-2014, pro bono law clerk and attorney volunteer

Miami-Dade County attorney ad litem program, 2013-2015, pro bono attorney

Derby City Fly Fishers, member

Highland Baptist Church, member

Law School Mentoring Program, minority student mentor

Louisville Bar Association, CLE presenter, ethics