Sam received his B.A. degree from St. Olaf College, where he majored in economics and history. He received his LL.B. degree cum laude and with honors from the William Mitchell College of Law.

Sam is a member of the American College of Commercial Arbitrators, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates and a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. In 2008, William Mitchell College of Law presented him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LL.D) for his achievement and excellence in the profession.

Sam began his legal career as a judicial clerk to Minnesota District Court Judge Douglas Amdahl and then Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Robert Sheran.  Sam entered private practice in 1966 with the Minnesota firm of Briggs and Morgan.  Sam is a former firm president and vice president, as well as a former head of the Business Litigation Section of Briggs.  After 34 years of practice with Briggs as a commercial litigator, Sam served on the Minnesota Court of Appeals for two years and the Minnesota Supreme Court for five years.  Upon retirement from the Court, he rejoined Briggs’ Business Litigation Section and  Appellate Practice Group and focused more than half of his practice on ADR matters. On January 1, 2016 Sam became Of Counsel to Briggs.  On January 1, 2020, Briggs was merged into Taft Stettinius & Hollister and Sam remained Of Counsel to the merged firm.  On December 31, 2020, Sam resigned from Taft to continue ADR matter under a solo practice.

Sam is a inductee into the American College of Commerical Arbitrators and a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and a fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. In 2008, William Mitchell College of Law presented him with an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree (LL.D) for his achievement and excellence in the profession.

Sam was named “Attorney of the Year” by Minnesota Lawyer in 2011. He has been listed in Chambers USA and Minnesota Super Lawyers, as well as in The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of appellate law and commercial litigation. He has been designated one of the “Top 100 Super Lawyers” in Minnesota and named a “Leading Minnesota Attorney.” Sam also has been recognized as a “Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation: Appellate.

$550 per hour