Sam is a partner in the Government Department at Ungaretti & Harris. His government practice is wide-ranging, with concentration in healthcare and regulatory matters, and involves developing and implementing legislative, regulatory and judicial strategies to achieve his clients’ objectives. Sam works out of Chicago and Springfield, Illinois and Washington D.C.
Litigation
Sam currently is involved in taxpayer actions against the Governor of Illinois and various public officials claiming that the legislation comprising the Illinois budget violates the Illinois Constitution. Previously, Sam played a key role in the taxpayer lawsuit against former Governor Rod Blagojevich and various agency heads claiming that the former governor’s taxpayer-funded health insurance program violated the Illinois Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act and was otherwise unlawful. That lawsuit figured prominently in the impeachment of the former Governor. Sam also has advised clients regarding state and federal court litigation as to the legality of state liquor laws under the Commerce Clause, federal antitrust laws and the federal and Illinois Constitutions. Sam also represents the owners of federally-subsidized affordable housing involved in a federal case involving, among other things, preemption under the U.S. Constitutions’ and fair housing and civil rights laws.
Healthcare
Sam has advised exempt and nonexempt healthcare clients about property tax exemption and classifications issues both generally and in judicial and administrative proceedings regarding the exemptions. He has counseled 501(c)(3)s about lobbying and campaign finance restrictions and prohibitions. He has advised public hospitals on Medicaid funding issues. He represented Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Cook County Hospital on state approvals for replacement hospitals involving capital investment in excess of $500 million each. He represented Marriott in the establishment of nine assisted living centers. He has represented the Illinois Department of Public Aid in long-term care and hospital assessment systems and drafted emergency budget authority for Governor Edgar. He has practiced before the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of General Counsel.
Energy
Sam has advised multiple clients, including regulated utilities, non-regulated producers, and transmission cooperatives on matters related to Illinois Commerce Commission authority including rate of return cogeneration agreements peaker plant licensing, interstate transmission, and Yucca Mountain. In 2002 to 2003, he served on the Accenture Energy Advisory Board.
Environmental
He has represented clients on CERCLA/NRC de-commissionings. As Legislative Assistant to Congressman Edward Madigan, Sam worked on the 1976 Conference Committee on Clean Air Act Amendments. As Assistant to Governor James Thompson, he coordinated state energy conservation efforts.
Sports
Sam represented The Chicago White Sox, The Chicago Bulls and The Chicago Blackhawks in legislation and finance leading to the replacement of Comiskey Park and the construction of the United Center. He has represented the National Basketball Association successfully in opposing sports gambling legislation in Springfield.
Banking/Lending
Sam has represented numerous American and international banks as letter of credit counsel. He has advised numerous investment banks in public finance underwritings and money management transactions. He has served as legislative counsel to the Illinois Health Facilities Authority and the Illinois Development Finance Authority. He has been Bond counsel for the Illinois Housing Development Authority. He has advised lenders on consumer finance, bank licensure and usury issues.
Sam served in the Illinois House of Representatives for eight years, four of which he spent as Assistant Republican Leader. He has served as an advisor to four Illinois governors and advised the Illinois Treasurer on the constitutionality of actions requested by a governor.
Sam has lectured at the Russian State University School of Economics and participated in panels on American government and politics at the Russian State University for the Humanities in Moscow.