Sam Hirzel Unplugged

After attending college in New York City and law school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Sam Hirzel came to Wilmington and Morris Nichols.  What drove Sam’s decision was the opportunity to perform, as he puts it, “big firm work in a smaller city” and the people that he met on his interviews.  After a brief time with the firm, Sam left the firm to clerk for the Honorable Donald F. Parsons, Jr. (a Morris Nichols alumnus) when he was appointed to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware – generally considered the preeminent Court for corporate litigation.  Sam returned to Morris Nichols after his clerkship.

“Morris Nichols has an international, sophisticated practice with a diverse array of large and reputable clients,” he says.  “I am generally engaged in substantive work on significant and interesting cases.  I don’t think that I would have this opportunity as an associate elsewhere.”

Sam experienced the opportunities that Morris Nichols offers early on.  During his first year with the firm, Sam worked on an expedited case involving a technical area of corporate law.  Sam explains, “Even though it was cutting edge law, it got through the Court of Chancery in a little over one month.  It was very fast-paced – but fun,” he adds.  Sam also had the opportunity to work for some of the firms more well known clients, including Roy Disney in his "Save Disney" campaign and Dan Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins in his campaign to take over the board of Six Flags, Inc.

Sam’s clerkship with the Court of Chancery provided him unique insights and an additional reason to practice in Delaware.  “The judiciary in Delaware is extremely sophisticated.  Our judges are extremely knowledgeable.  This benefits attorneys in that they can prepare their papers knowing that the judges understand the law.”

As for life in Wilmington, Sam says, “I lived in the big city in college and experienced small town life in law school.  I’d say this is the best of both worlds.  Where else can an associate live in a large house within walking distance to the office?  I’m doing the sophisticated legal work I want to do in a location where the options are broad in terms of lifestyle and leisure activity.”