Sam is co-founder of Dean Gazzo Roistacher LLP. He is first and foremost a trial lawyer with nearly 25 years of experience in State and Federal Courts practicing all phases of litigation across a broad range of specialty areas including catastrophic personal injury, premises liability, development and construction, real estate, employment, professional malpractice, civil rights, complex commercial and supply chain claims, products liability, wine import and distribution, insurance bad faith, intellectual property, trade secrets and unfair competition, and, director disputes.
As a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Sam deployed as an Intelligence Officer for multiple consecutive combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He successfully served in positions of increasing direct leadership up to the battalion/squadron level, and principal staff positions up to the major command and joint levels. As a Marine Colonel, and certified Inspector General, he currently serves as the command inspector for a major Reserve element.
Sam is a problem solver. Leveraging his extensive litigation background and enterprise-level leadership experience, Sam is highly adept at solving the most difficult legal challenges. Sam is sought as outside General Counsel to provide advice regarding strategic business development, risk mitigation, litigation supervision and cost management, compliance matters, internal polices and best practices. Sam is also specially retained as monitoring counsel for excess loss claims and to lead high profile investigations for both corporate and public entities.
Practice areas
24 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2001 | 02/07/2022 |
IA | Inactive | 1997 | 03/20/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Super Lawyer | Thomson Reuters | 2016 |
Super Lawyers | Thomson Reuters | 2015 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Top Lawyers | San Diego Magazine | 2014 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2013 |
Top Lawyer | San Diego Magazine | 2013 |
Top Lawyers in California | American Lawyer Media | 2013 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Client Distinction Award | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
Trial Advocacy | The Association of the Bar of the City of New York | 2000 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Dean Gazzo Roistacher LLP | 2021 - Present |
Colonel | USMCR | 1998 - Present |
Partner | Daley & Heft, LLP | 2002 - 2021 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Federal Bar Association | Member | 2018 - Present |
U.S. District Court for Northern District of Texas | Admitted to Practice | 2017 - Present |
Veterans Bar Association | Member | N/A |
United States District Court for the Central District of California | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
United States District Court for the Southern District of California | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
United States District Court for the Northern District of California | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of California | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
San Diego County Bar Association | Member | N/A |
San Diego Military Advisory Committee | Member | N/A |
United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
United States Supreme Court | Admitted to Practice | N/A |
San Diego County Bar Association, Military Law Committee | Former Co-Chair | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Creighton University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | N/A |
University of California - Irvine | BA - Bachelor of Arts | N/A |
Posted by anonymous
January 5, 2012
David Ashe, Litigation Attorney on Jul 27, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Sam is a great Marine and lawyer. He wins by outworking and out-researching everyone else on the case.
Derek Diaz, Litigation Attorney on Apr 22, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Sam Gazzo, whom I've known for over 15 years now, was always the go-to lawyer in our organization for the toughest cases. Sam is a tireless advocate for his clients, and his record of success is extremely impressive.
David Ashe, Litigation Attorney on Jul 27, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Sam is a great Marine and lawyer. He wins by outworking and out-researching everyone else on the case.
Derek Diaz, Litigation Attorney on Apr 22, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
Sam Gazzo, whom I've known for over 15 years now, was always the go-to lawyer in our organization for the toughest cases. Sam is a tireless advocate for his clients, and his record of success is extremely impressive.
Khoa Nuyen, Litigation Attorney on Mar 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Sam Gazzo for over a decade, starting when we were both Marine attorneys at Camp Pendleton, CA. He is one of the best at what he does--fiercely representing his clients and getting massive results. Sam always brings his "A" game to any matter.
James Kent, Litigation Attorney on Mar 19, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have known Sam for over three years. He is a true professional. In the years that I’ve known him, he has exhibited thoughtfulness, sound judgment and knowledge of law. He is the consummate professional.
Alessandro Assanti, Litigation Attorney on Nov 19, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Gazzo was professional, knowledgeable and effective. He did a great job for his client.
Keith Rutman, Litigation Attorney on Nov 19, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Sam was an opponent in a civil rights case I filed in federal court. He was professional, friendly, and accommodating of my schedule. I would welcome seeing him on another case.
Paul Ryan, Litigation Attorney on Jul 8, 2012
Relationship: Other
I have sent various clients to Sam and they have benefitted from his professionalism and impressive expertise. He has spent years as a civil litigator and is in the top echelon of litigators in San Diego. I have also served with Sam as a co-chair on the Military Law Section of the SDCBA. He works tirelessly to produce programs/initiatives that benefit the military community. Likewise, he manages to be an elite lawyer while balancing a successful reserve military career and family life. I give Sam my highest and most enthusiastic recommendation.