Samuel G. Coppersmith

Sam’s practice centers on transactional issues, with an emphasis on real estate and land use, business organization, corporate governance, contract negotiation, and business planning.  He has over two decades of experience assisting both local and national businesses and nonprofits as well as individuals and small businesses.  Sam also has extensive political and governmental experience.  He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served as a member of the Transportation and Science committees.  He has served as the Chair of the Arizona Democratic Party and on numerous state and local boards and commissions.

Sam is a member of the Board of Trustees and Vice Chair of the Devereux Foundation, one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of behavioral health services.  Between 1999 and 2008, he wrote a weekly political column for the Tribune newspapers' Sunday “Perspective” section. 

EDUCATION AND BAR ADMISSIONS

• J.D., Yale Law School, 1982
  
• A.B., Harvard College, 1976, magna cum laude
• Admitted in Arizona, 1983; California, 1982
  

JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP

• Hon. William C. Canby, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Phoenix, AZ, 1982-83

REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Representing ASE-listed national homebuilder in Arizona real estate acquisition, sales, and general “troubleshooting”
• Forming new (or revived) nonprofit entities, obtaining IRS recognition of exempt status, and developing governance and oversight structures
• New business entity formation and planning for local entrepreneurs
• Representing Arizona hospital districts both in compliance with state law and in fulfilling community mission
• Local counsel for Arizona aspects of national and multinational purchases, sales, financings, or spinoffs of businesses and real estate

ACTIVITIES AND RECOGNITIONS

• Planned Parenthood of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ: Board Member, 1988-1992; President, 1992; recipient of Peggy Goldwater Award, recognizing contributions to PPAZ, 2007
• Volunteer Lawyers Program For Love of Justice Award for assistance to nonprofit agencies, 2005
• International election monitor, Ukraine, 2004

POLITICAL AND GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE

• Ran first marathon at age 49.  Best time: 4:06, Rock-n-Roll Arizona, 2006. Most recent triathalon: New York City, 2009 (2:59)
• U.S. Representative Harry Mitchell, 5th District, Arizona: Co-Chair, Transition Team, 2006-2007
• Governor’s Regulatory Review Council, Arizona: Public Member, 2005-2009
• Arizona Democratic Party, Chair, 1995-97; Chair of Arizona Delegation to 1996 Democratic National Convention
• Member of Congress, 1st District, Arizona, 103rd Congress, 1993-95
• City of Phoenix Board of Adjustment, Phoenix, AZ: Member, 1989-1992; Chair 1991-1992
• Assistant to Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard, 1984
• U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC and Port of Spain, Trinidad: Foreign Service Officer, 1977-79
  

PUBLICATIONS AND SPEECHES

• Sam’s old Tribune columns are archived at his blog, http://www.samcoppersmith.com, along with occasional new posts.