Summary

Sam’s practice focuses on debt restructuring, refinancing, workouts and bankruptcy. With extensive experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees and receivers inside and outside bankruptcy, Sam’s work has included numerous Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 bankruptcies for entities and Chapter 7 and 13 for individuals impacted by business distress. Sam also represents companies and individuals in disputes with state and federal taxing authorities, as well as the municipalities and organizations with which they do business. His experience includes general obligation bonds, tax increment financing bonds, private/public partnerships, utility rate adjustments, annexation, redevelopment grants and general regulatory matters.

Sam is a member of Taft’s Distressed Company Task Force which was created to assist borrowers impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Taft team assists  borrower clients in navigating negotiations with their lenders, suppliers, taxing authorities and stakeholders. Sam is also board certified in business bankruptcy and serves on the board of directors of the American Board of Certification, the organization which certifies bankruptcy lawyers. He also serves as president of the Indiana chapter of the Turnaround Management Association (TMA Indiana).

Committed to helping his Indianapolis community, Sam currently serves as a director on the boards of Music for All, a national music advocacy organization based in Indianapolis and Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Indiana. He has also advised, on a pro bono basis, Art With A Heart, the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Partners in Housing and Trusted Mentors. Sam has helped several not-for-profit organizations obtain 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. He regularly helps boards and board members of troubled charities navigate their problems while protecting their officers and members.

Sam is recognized by Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights, Insolvency and Reorganization, Tax Litigation and Controversy and Banking and Finance. He was honored by Best Lawyers® as “Lawyer of the Year” in the Indianapolis market: in 2018 for Litigation-Banking and Finance, in 2017 for Litigation-Bankruptcy, and in 2016 and 2023 for Litigation and Controversy-Tax. He has been recognized in Indiana Super Lawyers for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights since 2010. He has also earned an AV Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and was recognized in 2017 as “Platinum Client Champion.”

Awards

All Service Areas

Education

  • Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (1986)
  • Indiana University Kelley School of Business (M.B.A., Finance) (1990)
  • Indiana University (B.A., Political Science) (1982)

Admissions

  • State - Indiana
  • Federal - Northern District of Indiana
  • Federal - Southern District of Indiana

Professional Affiliations

  • Turnaround Management Association

    President, Indiana Chapter

  • Indianapolis Bar Association

    Member

  • Indiana State Bar Association

    Member
    Chair, Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights Section (2016)

  • American Bankruptcy Institute

    Member

  • AV Peer Review Rating (LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubbell)
  • American Board of Certification

    Director

  • Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal

    Treasurer

Community Involvement

  • Indiana University

    Adjunct Professor, Political Science Department

  • Music for All

    Director

  • Trusted Mentors

    Counsel

  • Art With A Heart

    Counsel

  • Myers for Greenwood

    Campaign Chair

  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters

    Director and Secretary

  • Midwest Clinic for Band and Orchestra

    Director