Whether counseling a client facing an internal or government investigation, or mounting a defense against a litigation claim, Sam prides himself on being able to break down a complex, and often high stakes, matter into manageable phases and guiding clients through every step.
Investigations
He defends entities facing investigations, whether it be government or internal initiated, in various industries (financial services, energy, pharmaceutical, health care, engineering, mining, government, or religious). Sam manages investigations from end-to-end, including receipt of a subpoena, e-discovery, interviews, production, and proffer sessions. Recognizing the emotional and at times public nature of an investigation, Sam works closely with clients to develop a clear strategy that clients understand.
Commercial and White Collar Litigation
Sam has extensive litigation experience from initial investigation through discovery, mediation, and settlement in contractual disputes, internal affairs, antitrust (class action arising out of a government investigation), and personal injury. He manages fact investigations and complex e-discovery matters, conducts fact depositions, and drafts pre-trial motions and briefs.
Before joining HSE, Sam was an associate with K&L Gates LLP in Pittsburgh, PA, and he served as a judicial intern for the Honorable Jorge Solis in the U.S. Northern District of Texas in Dallas, the Honorable United States Magistrate Jeffrey Cureton for the Northern District of Texas, and the Honorable Texas Court of Appeals Judge Bob McCoy for the Second District.
Representative Experience
- Conducted an investigation examining whether improper-management pressure caused an engineering firm to underreport losses.*
- Counseled a bipartisan Pennsylvania Senate Committee on the removal of the Attorney General.*
- Conducted a years-long investigation into sex-abuse in a Roman Catholic diocese. Interviewed dozens of priests and victims, with one such interview leading to the arrest of a then-active priest.*
- Conducted an internal investigation involving potential FCPA issues at a refinery in Southeast Asia on behalf of a global petroleum company.*
- Defended LLC member in breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims arising from a dispute over commercial leases.*
- Assisted energy client during internal investigation of an employee injury at a drilling site and defended it during the subsequent civil ligation.*
- Represented industrial company during federal criminal investigation of its employee for alleged theft of trade secrets and economic espionage.*
- Represented government prosecutor regarding ethical inquiry before the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Professional Responsibility.*
- Defended financial institution during federal criminal investigations of BSA and related AML violations.*
- Defended financial institution during federal criminal and civil investigations related to its anti-fraud and consumer protection efforts.*
- Defended company in the health-care industry regarding reverse-FCA violation.*
- Represented an international engineering company in an SEC investigation focused on potential securities fraud violations by a related entity.*
- Defended economic development council in a FCA investigation in which it was named as a witness.*
- Represented laboratory in connection with an internal investigation into contractual relationships with lead generation and telemedicine companies.*
- Represented multiple durable medical equipment companies in internal investigations and government investigations into contractual relationships with lead generation and telemedicine companies.*
- Advised startup in the ticket-broker industry on compliance with the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act and potential mitigation measures.*
- Defended American broker-dealer subsidiary of international bank during FINRA investigation related to alleged AML violations and advised on AML policy updates.*
- Advised on an existing AML compliance policy for American subsidiary of international vehicle manufacturer.*
*Work completed at prior firm
Honors & Awards
- Texas A&M University School of Law
- Semifinalist, Gibbons National Moot Court Competition
- Editorial Board, Texas A&M Law Review
Publications
- "Regulators Stepping Up Fin Tech Actions," The Daily Journal, September 16, 2016
Admissions
- Pennsylvania
Education
- Texas A&M University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
- University of Texas at Arlington, B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, minor in Mechanical Engineering