SamRowley
Senior Counsel
Commercial Litigation
srowley@seyfarth.com
PROFILE
EXPERIENCE
NEWS & INSIGHTS
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Sam has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in complex commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on high-stakes disputes involving franchise and distribution laws, antitrust and competitions laws, fiduciary duties, and creditor rights.
More About Sam
Sam advises clients in the automotive, energy, construction, and real estate industries, and has litigated numerous issues arising from partnership and LLC disputes.
A seasoned trial attorney, he has tried several cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators, and has worked on appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court.
A seasoned trial attorney, he has tried several cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators, and has worked on appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court.
Education
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Education
- JD, The George Washington University Law School
- BA, Middlebury College
Admissions
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Admissions
- Massachusetts
Courts
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Courts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
EXPERIENCE
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EXPERIENCE
- Defending one of the nation’s largest beverage distributors in a high-profile breach of fiduciary duty dispute brought by shareholders.
- Represented unsecured creditors’ committee in fraudulent transfer litigation arising in Texas bankruptcy proceeding of frac sand mining company, increasing creditor recovery threefold.
- Obtained complete trial victory on behalf of mortgage lending servicer in defending fraudulent transfer and breach of contract claims seeking more than $40 million in damages in Delaware bankruptcy proceeding.
- Defended major auto manufacturer in successful defense of a fraudulent transfer/unjust enrichment action seeking more than $30 million in damages brought by the liquidating trustee of electric auto manufacturer startup in Delaware bankruptcy proceeding.
- Represented private equity owner of a 675-megawatt natural gas fired power plant in an international arbitration against foreign contractor in dispute over nine-figure claims and counterclaims arising from delays in completion of the project.
- Tried first-of-its-kind creditor derivative action for bondholders of distressed credit default swap company in the Delaware Court of Chancery; obtained $10 million award of attorneys' fees.
- Obtained $30 million judgment after trial for newly formed oil and gas company in offshore construction litigation arising in Texas bankruptcy proceeding of major oil and gas driller.
- Represented industry trade association challenging the constitutionality of amendments to state legislation regulating auto manufacturers in Florida and Connecticut.
- Represented secured term-lenders and unsecured creditors’ committees in several major bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware and New York arising from the Great Recession.
Select Recognition
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Select Recognition
- A member of a practice group that received “Practice Group of the Year,” Law360 (Portfolio Media, Inc.) (2017-2019)
- Listed as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (Thomson Reuters) (2012-2014)
- Received John J. Curtin Public Service Award from Boston Bar Association (2008)
- Received President’s Award from Boston Bar Association (2007)
Leadership & Professional Affiliations
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Leadership & Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
Publications
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Publications
- Co-Author, "FTC Announces Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Thresholds and Filing Fees for 2024," Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2024)
- Distribution of Vehicles in the U.S. and the Impact of State Law, Morgan Lewis Insight (January 10, 2020)
Presentations
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Presentations
- “Arbitration ADR vs. Litigation: What’s the Best Dispute Resolution Option for Your Transaction,” Morgan Lewis Seminar (January 8, 2020)
- “Distribution of Vehicles in the US and the Impact of State Law,” Morgan Lewis Webinar (June 19, 2019)
- “State Regulation of Motor Vehicle Warranty Payments: Special Interest Legislation Run Amok,” Auto Distribution: Current Issues & Future Trends Workshop held by FTC (January 19, 2016)
Civic & Charitable
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Civic & Charitable
- Landmark decisions for Uighurs held at Guantanamo Bay
Sam has more than 15 years of experience representing clients in complex commercial litigation matters, with an emphasis on high-stakes disputes involving franchise and distribution laws, antitrust and competitions laws, fiduciary duties, and creditor rights.
More About Sam
Sam advises clients in the automotive, energy, construction, and real estate industries, and has litigated numerous issues arising from partnership and LLC disputes.
A seasoned trial attorney, he has tried several cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators, and has worked on appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court.
A seasoned trial attorney, he has tried several cases to juries, judges, and arbitrators, and has worked on appeals in state and federal appellate courts, including the US Supreme Court.
Education
Click to expand content section
Education
- JD, The George Washington University Law School
- BA, Middlebury College
Admissions
Click to expand content section
Admissions
- Massachusetts
Courts
Click to expand content section
Courts
- US Court of Appeals, First Circuit
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
EXPERIENCE
Click to collapse content section
EXPERIENCE
- Defending one of the nation’s largest beverage distributors in a high-profile breach of fiduciary duty dispute brought by shareholders.
- Represented unsecured creditors’ committee in fraudulent transfer litigation arising in Texas bankruptcy proceeding of frac sand mining company, increasing creditor recovery threefold.
- Obtained complete trial victory on behalf of mortgage lending servicer in defending fraudulent transfer and breach of contract claims seeking more than $40 million in damages in Delaware bankruptcy proceeding.
- Defended major auto manufacturer in successful defense of a fraudulent transfer/unjust enrichment action seeking more than $30 million in damages brought by the liquidating trustee of electric auto manufacturer startup in Delaware bankruptcy proceeding.
- Represented private equity owner of a 675-megawatt natural gas fired power plant in an international arbitration against foreign contractor in dispute over nine-figure claims and counterclaims arising from delays in completion of the project.
- Tried first-of-its-kind creditor derivative action for bondholders of distressed credit default swap company in the Delaware Court of Chancery; obtained $10 million award of attorneys' fees.
- Obtained $30 million judgment after trial for newly formed oil and gas company in offshore construction litigation arising in Texas bankruptcy proceeding of major oil and gas driller.
- Represented industry trade association challenging the constitutionality of amendments to state legislation regulating auto manufacturers in Florida and Connecticut.
- Represented secured term-lenders and unsecured creditors’ committees in several major bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware and New York arising from the Great Recession.
Select Recognition
Click to expand content section
Select Recognition
- A member of a practice group that received “Practice Group of the Year,” Law360 (Portfolio Media, Inc.) (2017-2019)
- Listed as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (Thomson Reuters) (2012-2014)
- Received John J. Curtin Public Service Award from Boston Bar Association (2008)
- Received President’s Award from Boston Bar Association (2007)
Leadership & Professional Affiliations
Click to expand content section
Leadership & Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
Publications
Click to expand content section
Publications
- Co-Author, "FTC Announces Hart-Scott-Rodino Act Thresholds and Filing Fees for 2024," Seyfarth's Future of Automotive Series, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 24, 2024)
- Distribution of Vehicles in the U.S. and the Impact of State Law, Morgan Lewis Insight (January 10, 2020)
Presentations
Click to expand content section
Presentations
- “Arbitration ADR vs. Litigation: What’s the Best Dispute Resolution Option for Your Transaction,” Morgan Lewis Seminar (January 8, 2020)
- “Distribution of Vehicles in the US and the Impact of State Law,” Morgan Lewis Webinar (June 19, 2019)
- “State Regulation of Motor Vehicle Warranty Payments: Special Interest Legislation Run Amok,” Auto Distribution: Current Issues & Future Trends Workshop held by FTC (January 19, 2016)
Civic & Charitable
Click to expand content section
Civic & Charitable
- Landmark decisions for Uighurs held at Guantanamo Bay