Samuel K. Hamilton

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When Sam Hamilton was working as an aide in the Ohio Legislature right after college, he saw something that pushed him toward law school.

“I noticed the people who were lawyers had more credibility,” Hamilton said of the lawmakers and employees in the Legislature.

But when he got to law school at Ohio State University, he quickly abandoned going back to work in politics.

All it took was some business law classes. And when he spent a summer as an associate in the business section of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren, he decided he’d made the right choice.

Now, instead of brokering compromises on laws, he works on deals for companies. But there’s one thing he’d like to change about business law — the perception that it’s populated by nothing but Gordon Gekko types.

Instead, it’s an opportunity to make sure his clients reach their goals, he said.

“It’s a noble pursuit to help people obtain and maintain wealth.”

What is your favorite U.S. Supreme Court opinion?

Brown v. Board of Education.

What was the worst U.S. Supreme Court opinion?

Dred Scott v. Sanford.

What can you spend hours doing that’s not law-related?

Playing or watching basketball.

How would your mother describe you in one word?

Compassionate.

What is the most insane question you’ve ever been asked?

I’ve really mulled this one over and nothing comes to mind.

If you could be a superhero, who would you be?

Wow, that’s a tough one.  Inspector Gadget?

If you hadn’t become a lawyer, what would you have done?

I probably would have pursued a Ph.D. in History or become a high school History or English teacher.

What profession would you not like to participate in?

I wouldn’t want to be a New York cab driver.  I hate traffic and am not a particularly good driver. Not a good combination for that profession.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“Buddy” and “wonderful.”