A native of Charleston, Sam graduated from Porter Gaud School in 1998 and matriculated to the University of South Carolina, where he graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts, as a history major and political science minor.  He remained at the University of South Carolina for law school and obtained a Juris Doctorate in 2007.  Sam moved to New York City after law school to continue his education at New York Maritime College, where he graduated in 2010 with a Master of Science and Merchant Marine deck officer’s license.

Sam joined Clawson & Staubes, LLC in March 2010 and practices in the areas of insurance, tort defense, admiralty law, commercial law, and bankruptcy.  In addition to practicing law, Sam is an adjunct professor in the Naval Science Department at The Citadel, instructing two classes of senior Naval ROTC cadets in advanced terrestrial navigation.  In addition to leading classroom lecture and laboratory, Sam has worked with the Charleston waterfront community to arrange field learning opportunities for his students, allowing the cadets to engage in practical navigation exercises aboard working vessels in Charleston harbor, a first for The Citadel.

Sam married his wife, Lauren, in December 2008 in Charleston.  Lauren is the owner and operator of Charleston Dog Walking Co.  Sam and Lauren reside downtown with their three dogs, Lily Bell, Ruthy May, and Moose.  Sam spends his free time boating and fishing on the waters surrounding Charleston, attending Carolina football and baseball games, and traveling throughout Central America, South East Asia, and Europe.