Sam’s practice centers on transactional issues, with an emphasis on real estate and land use, business organization, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and business planning. He has over two decades of experience assisting both local and national businesses and nonprofit entities as well as individuals and small businesses. Sam has extensive political and governmental experience. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served as a member of the Transportation and Science committees. He has also served as the Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and on numerous state and local boards and commissions.
Sam is a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of the Devereux Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of behavioral health services. Since 1999, he has written a weekly political column for the Tribune newspapers' Sunday “Perspective” section. Sam also is the managing member of our firm, which sounds more impressive than it is.
EDUCATION AND BAR ADMISSIONS
- J.D., Yale Law School, 1982
- A.B., Harvard College, 1976, magna cum laude
- Admitted in Arizona, 1983; California, 1982
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP
- Hon. William C. Canby, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Phoenix, AZ, 1982-83
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Representing ASE-listed national homebuilder in Arizona real estate acquisition, sales, and general “troubleshooting”
- Forming new (or revived) nonprofit entities, obtaining IRS recognition of exempt status, and developing governance and oversight structures
- New business entity formation and planning for local entrepreneurs
- Representing Arizona hospital districts both in compliance with state law and in fulfilling community mission
- Local counsel for Arizona aspects of national purchases, sales, financings, or spinoffs
ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITIONS
- Planned Parenthood of Central and Northern Arizona, Phoenix, AZ: Board Member, 1988-1992; President, 1992; recipient of Peggy Goldwater Award, recognizing contributions to PPCNA, 2007
- Volunteer Lawyers Program For Love of Justice Award for assistance to nonprofit agencies, 2005
- International election monitor, Ukraine, 2004
POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE
- Ran first marathon at age 49. Best time: 4:06, Rock-n-Roll Arizona, 2006
- U.S. Representative Harry Mitchell, 5th District, Arizona: Co-Chair, Transition Team, 2006-2007
- Governor’s Regulatory Review Council, Arizona: Public Member, 2005-present
- Arizona Democratic Party, Chair, 1995-97; Chair of Arizona Delegation to 1996 Democratic National Convention
- U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC and Tempe, AZ
- Member of Congress, 1st District, Arizona, 103rd Congress, 1993-95
- City of Phoenix Board of Adjustment, Phoenix, AZ: Member, 1899-1992; Chair 1991-1992
- Assistant to Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard, 1984
- U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC and Port of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies: Foreign Service Officer, 1977-79
PUBLICATIONS AND SPEECHES
- Sam’s weekly Tribune columns are also available at his blog, http://liberaldesert.blogspot.com
Coppersmith Gordon Schermer & Brockelman PLC
2800 N. Central Ave.,
Suite 1000
Phoenix, Arizona 85004-1008
P (602) 381-5461
F (602) 224-6020
