Michael Sams, Litigation Practice Area Co-Leader, is a respected litigator, advocate and business advisor, serving companies throughout New England. He successfully tries, appeals, mediates and arbitrates disputes before the Massachusetts Superior and District Courts, the Supreme Judicial Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the U.S. First Circuit, private ADR services, and a range of state and federal agencies.
Mike is well known as a trial lawyer and risk manager for participants in the construction industry, including contractors, owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers. His counsel spans both public and private construction projects and his success is attributed in part to his 360-degree perspective gained through work with businesses on all sides of projects. Mike handles contract drafting and negotiation, payment claims, change order and delay disputes, construction defect disputes, mechanic’s lien and bond claims, and insurance coverage work.
In addition to construction-related work, Mike handles general business litigation across a range of industries and companies. This includes landlord-tenant disputes, employer/employee issues such as wage and discrimination claims, insurance coverage disputes, and personal injury cases. Although Mike is always prepared to provide aggressive, effective defense or prosecution at trial or arbitration, he works with clients to manage risk and minimize the frequency of litigation. In all instances where litigation is necessary, Mike employs deep experience as a trusted advisor to developing litigation and trial strategy in the context of accomplishing business objectives.
Mike is a sought-after speaker for legal and industry organization gatherings, where he presents best practices for risk management, dispute strategy, and winning at trial.
Affiliations
- Board of Directors, Steel Fabricators of New England (2021–present)
- Board of Directors, Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (2021–present)
- Board of Directors, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2013-present)
- ConsensusDocs Master Subcontract Agreement Drafting Committee (2018-present)
- Membership Committee, Massachusetts Building Congress (2015-present)
- Defense Research Institute
- Past Chair, Construction Law Committee (2014-present)
- Steering Committee (2010-present)
- Civil Litigation Section, Massachusetts Bar Association (2016-present)
- Board of Directors, Northeastern University School of Law (2011-present)
Previous
- Boston Inn of Courts
- President (2010-2011)
- Executive Committee (2006-2012)
- Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry
- Secretary & Executive Committee Member (2007-2011)
- Board of Trustees (2006-2012)
- Construction Financial Managers Association
- Board of Directors (2006-2013)
- Secretary, Executive Committee (2007-2009)
- Board Member, ABC Rhode Island Construction Training Academy (2024)
- Civil Litigation Section, Massachusetts Bar Association (2007-2008)
- Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
- Policy Committee (2017)
- President (2013)
- Board of Trustees (2006-2014)
- Second Vice President, Board of Directors, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (2021)
- Boston Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Construction Law Committee (2013-2015)
- Education Committee (2009-2011)
- Public Service Committee (2008-2011)
- Gould Construction Institute
- General Counsel (2013-2020)
- Board of Trustees (2006-2012)
- Chairman (2011)
- President, Alumni Association, Northeastern University School of Law (2015-2016)
- Co-Chair, Massachusetts Alumni Chapter, University of Rhode Island (2008-2012)
Honors
- Best Lawyers in America® (2024-2025)
- Massachusetts Super Lawyers list (2004-2005, 2007-2025)
- Boston magazine’s Top Lawyers List, Construction (2024)
- Fellow, Construction Lawyers Society of America
- AV rated by Martindale Hubbell
Bar Admissions
- Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Education
- J.D., Northeastern University School of Law
- B.A., magna cum laude, University of Rhode Island
- Secured a tremendous mediation settlement on behalf of homeowner suing their builder on claims of defective work
- Barr Inc. v. Town of Holliston, 462 Mass. 112 (2012)
- Fordyce v. Town of Hanover, 457 Mass. 248 (2010)
- National Lumber Company v. Blackwood Development Corp., 85 Mass. App. Ct. 112 (2014)
- Or v. Edwards,62 Mass. App. Ct. 475 (2004)
- Acquacultural Research Corp. v. Old King’s Highway Reg’l Historic Comm’n, 2014 Mass. App. Div. 100
- Barr Inc. v. Town of Northborough, S. Ct. App., No. 07-2058 (1stCir. Sept. 28,2007)