Overview
Sam focuses her practice on white-collar criminal defense and internal investigations. She has also represented clients in complex civil litigation and as an independent compliance consultant.
Her experience includes defending clients in investigations and prosecutions involving the Department of Justice, the Securities Exchange Commission, state attorneys general, and other government agencies. She advises clients in matters relating to fraud, insider trading, false advertising, and false statements.
Sam is active in Steptoe's pro bono program and has represented clients in federal court for constitutional violations by the Alabama Department of Corrections, as well as securing additional compensation from the Department of Defense for veterans through the National Veterans Legal Services Program.
While in law school, Sam was a legal intern for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. She was also the Managing Editor of the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law.
- District of Columbia
- California
- US District Court, Northern District of California
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 2021
- B.A., University of California, Los Angeles, 2016, magna cum laude
Representative Matters
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Successfully secured a complete defense acquittal for former Autonomy CEO Mike Lynch in a 13-year US federal criminal securities and accounting fraud case. The case relates to HP's $11-billion acquisition of Autonomy in 2011.
- Representation of prominent global financial institution as independent compliance consultant in connection with settlements with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission regarding the collection and retention of employee electronic communications.
- Representation of an individual in criminal proceedings for wire fraud in connection with allegations of an oil and gas Ponzi scheme prosecuted by DOJ.
- Representation of a presidentially appointed DOJ employee in connection with a Hatch Act investigation by DOJ Office of Inspector General and the Office of Special Counsel.
- Representation of an international advertising conglomerate in multiple lawsuits and a multi-state investigation pertaining to claims of false advertising and public nuisance.
- Represented a private company in an internal investigation involving sexual assault and corporate bribery allegations.
- Represented a nonprofit business organization in receiving a third-party subpoena from DOJ related to a FARA investigation.
News & Publications
Press Releases
Steptoe Wins “Most Important Case of the Year” at the Global Investigations Review Awards 2024
November 15, 2024
Media Mentions
June 2024
Resources
Client Alerts
FCPA/Anti-Corruption Developments: 2022 Year in Review
February 24, 2023
By: Iris E. Bennett
Client Alerts
FCPA/Anti-Corruption Developments: 2021 Year in Review
February 15, 2022
By: Iris E. Bennett, Brigida Benitez, Zoe Osborne, Wendy Wysong, Samantha McCarthy, James M. Purce, Lin Yang, Bo Yue, Wilson Zhao, Joshua Dupre (law clerk), Zhaoxi Zhang (international paralegal)