Member Bio
Michael P. Sams is a founding member and shareholder of Kenney & Sams, P.C. He has received an AV Rating, the highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics from The Martindale Hubbell National Law Directory. Mr. Sams has been selected to Best Lawyers in America and in a region wide survey, Boston Magazine named him a Massachusetts and then New England “Super Lawyer” in the area of construction law from 2004-2014; a designation limited to the top 5 percent of attorneys in the Commonwealth and New England.
Mr. Sams has tried numerous cases successfully before the Massachusetts Superior and District Courts, the United States Department of Labor, the Division of Administrative Law Appeals, and the Department of Industrial Accidents. He has successfully tried bid protest matters before the Attorney General's Office, and handled appeals before the Massachusetts Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. Mr. Sams also has arbitrated matters with the Office of Consumer Affairs and mediated and arbitrated many cases with the various alternative dispute resolution agencies and other independent neutrals.
In addition to his litigation and trial work, Mr. Sams spends considerable time consulting with clients regarding risk management policies and procedures, and performing contract analysis and preparation, all to lessen the potential for future litigation. He writes and speaks frequently concerning trial and litigation skills including best practices in taking depositions, sound legal writing, and Massachusetts evidence law. Mr. Sams also has served as a faculty member at industry programs concerning matters such as risk management and claims investigation. He recently has spoken to industry and legal organizations including the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, The Massachusetts Bar Association, Construction Financial Managers Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Associated Builders and Contractors, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. He also has presented at both Build Boston and Residential Build Boston.
Areas of Practice
• Construction and Real Estate Litigation
• Business Litigation
• Insurance Law
• Employment Law
• Appellate Practice
• Personal Injury
Education
• University of Rhode Island – 1990, B.A. (magna cum laude)
• Northeastern University School of Law – 1994, J.D.
• Intern: Massachusetts Appeals Court
Bar & Court Admissions
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts
• United States District Court – Massachusetts
• United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Professional Associations/Memberships
•Defense Research Institute (Vice Chair, Construction Law Committee, 2013-Present)
•Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association (Immediate Past President, 2013-2014; President 2012-2013; Secretary, Executive Committee & Board of Trustees Member, 2004-2014)
•Massachusetts Bar Association (Co-Chair Law Day, 2009-present; Civil Litigation Section, 2007-2008; Chair, Annual Legal Writing Program, 2004-2006)
•Boston Bar Association (Co-Chair, Construction Law Committee, 2012-2014; Education Committee, 2009-2011; Public Service Committee, 2008-2011; Co-Chair, Law Day in the Schools Program, 2004-2008)
•Boston Inn of Courts (President, 2010-2011; Executive Committee, 2006-2013)
•Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (Board of Trustees Member, 2011 – present; Faculty, “Prompt Pay” Statute Program, 2010; Faculty, Massachusetts Evidence Law, 2009; Chair, programs on Public Construction Law Reform, 2005 & 2008; Chair, programs concerning the Independent Contractor Statute and its impact on business, 2007 & 2008; Faculty, Deposition Workshop concerning proper deposition practice, 1999-2005)
•Gould Construction Institute (General Counsel, 2009-present; Chairman, Board of
Trustees, 2007; Director, 2005-2008)
•Construction Financial Managers Association (Board of Directors, 2006-2012;
Secretary, Executive Committee, 2007-2009)
•Northeastern University School of Law (Alumni Board Vice President 2013-present; Board of Directors, 2010-present; Co-Chair, Boston Regional Alumni Chapter, 2009-present)
•University of Rhode Island (Co-Chair, Massachusetts Alumni Chapter, 2008-2011)