S. Shay Samples

In nearly 50 years of experience as a lawyer, Shay Samples has found that the most important part of his job is understanding. When representing a victim of medical malpractice, he has to understand the medicine as well as any doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider in order to prove negligence. Growing up in a small town east of Birmingham, Shay had little exposure to the practice of law until he stopped in to watch a fiery local trial lawyer, the legendary Tom Radney, arguing a case. Radney took Shay under his wing and encouraged him to attend law school.

While attending Cumberland School of Law, Shay clerked for a major plaintiff's law firm where the senior partner, Roscoe Hogan, became his mentor. He rose to become a partner there for 18 years. Shay's passion for plaintiff advocacy led him to Hare Wynn in 1994 as a full partner.

Over his career, he has tried hundreds of cases across Alabama in both state and federal courts. Although he has handled cases in almost every area of civil trial litigation, his primary focus has been representing victims of medical malpractice and their families. He is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, limited to 500 members worldwide, and a Senior Counsel Member of the College of Master Advocates and Barristers.