ABOUT SAM
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Sam is an experienced trial lawyer with significant jury and non-jury trial experience. He has negotiated many favorable settlements for his clients, which include seven-figure results. Similarly, he has successfully defeated claims for similar amounts. Sam handles a variety of complex civil matters in the state and federal courts of Colorado and Wyoming, including professional negligence, commercial disputes, employment, business torts, securities and commodities matters, non-compete and trade secret disputes, and financial matters.
In addition to litigation and trials, Sam has been lead counsel on several multi-million dollar commercial, residential and agricultural real estate transactions, handling everything related to contracting, title, financing, and closing.
Sam is a Fellow of the American and Colorado Bar Foundations, past chair of The Colorado Lawyer board of editors, and past president of the Mesa County Bar Association and has served on the Colorado Bar Association (CBA) Board of Governors, as CBA executive vice president, and chair of the CBA and DBA Joint Management Committee. Sam was appointed by Gov. Hickenlooper to the Electronic Recording Technology Board, by the Colorado Supreme Court to the Continuing Legal and Judicial Education Committee, and has served on the CBA Real Estate Section Council and currently serves on the Litigation Section Council.
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For three years, two as chair, Sam served on the Colorado LGBT Bar Judicial Endorsement Committee, conducting interviews and recommendations for multiple District Court judges, two Court of Appeals judges, and two Supreme Court justices. He is a 2015 graduate of the CBA Leadership Training Program (COBALT).
Outside the law, one of Sam's primary personal interests is distance running, and he's participated in several marathons. A third-generation native Coloradan, he also enjoys other outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, and exploring the Colorado backcountry. Sam's cultural interests are art, history, and playing the piano.
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Joined Dufford Waldeck in 1997
ATTORNEY PROFILE
Admitted to Bar
2002 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
1997 Colorado and US District Court of Colorado
1995 Wyoming and US District Court of Wyoming
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Education
JD 1995 — University of Wyoming
BA 1990 — University of Colorado
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Martindale-Hubbell Rating — Distinguished — 4.4 out of 5.0
The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings help potential clients identify, evaluate, and choose the most appropriate lawyer to help solve their problem.
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Fellowships
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Fellow, Colorado Bar Foundation, since 2007
Fellows in the Colorado Bar Foundation are lawyers in good standing of the Colorado Bar Association selected for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Community and Professional Involvement
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Colorado Bar Association
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Mesa County Bar Association
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Colorado Trial Lawyers Association
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American Bar Association, Litigation Section
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Community Hospital of Grand Junction Board of Trustees; Chair, Corporate Compliance Committee
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Colorado Bar Association, Chair, Joint Management Committee​
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Colorado Bar Association, served as Senior Vice President, Vice President and Executive Council
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Board of Editors, The Colorado Lawyer (official publication of the Colorado Bar Association); served as Chair, Vice Chair, and on Executive Committee from 2003 - 2007
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Mesa County Bar Association; served as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer
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Pro Bono Project of Mesa County, Inc.; served as President and member of the Board of Directors
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Colorado Bar Association, Board of Governors; served as Mesa County Representative
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Colorado Bar Association, Budget and Finance Committee
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SAM'S PROFILE
Responsive. Experienced. Focused.