Sam is one of the most widely-respected trial attorneys in the state.
1972, he interned at the Prosecuting Attorneys office of the City and County of Honolulu. After graduation from law school he started private practice working under former U. S. Attorney Joseph Gedan.
He has tried close to 100 jury and judge trials in both civil and criminal cases in Hawaii State and Hawaii Federal District Courts, to say nothing of the hundreds of motions he has filed and hearings in which he has appeared.