Sam graduated from Durham University with a First Class Honours degree in History.  He was articled at Frere Cholmeley Bischoff before moving to Clifford Chance in 1998 as a member of their Capital Markets Department. Sam joined Davenport Lyons Media Department in November 1999, he became an associate in July 2002 and a partner in June 2004.

Sam’s practice concentrates primarily on film and TV finance and production work and his recent experience and clients include:

• Establishing the documentation pursuant to which The Royal Bank of Scotland provides finance (gap and discounting) in relation to particular film projects.
• Advising The Royal Bank of Scotland in connection with its financing of Ken Loach’s Palme D’Or winner “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” and the previous Ken Loach release “Ae Fond Kiss”
• Advising The Royal Bank of Scotland in relation to its financing of Stephen Woolley’s recent “And When Did You Last See Your Father?” starring Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent.
• Advising The Royal Bank of Scotland on its discounting of ITV’s commissions of All3Media entities’ productions including “Midsomer Murders” series, “Ultimate Force” series and various Company Productions’ dramas including “Wallace and Edward”, “Rose & Maloney Series 2”, “Child of Mine” and “Wild At Heart” Series.
• Establishing the documentation pursuant to which Barclays Bank and The Bank of Ireland discount BBC commissions of independent producers. 
• Advising Barclays Bank on its first discounting of a BBC commission – Wall to Wall’s “New Tricks Series 4” and advising Barclays Bank on numerous discounting of ITV’s commissions including Linda La Plante’s “Trial and Retribution” series Shed Productions’ series “Footballers’ Wives”, “Bad Girls” and “Bombshell”.
• Advising Bank of Ireland on their first discounting of a BBC commission – Box TV’s “Wind in the Willows”, and advising Bank of Ireland on the financing of BOX TV’s “Bon Voyage” for ITV.
• Establishing the documentation pursuant to which Alliance & Leicester issue Letters of Credit in respect of the Sale & Leaseback Net Benefit, and advising Alliance & Leicester on their issuance of  Letter of Credit in relation to the Sale and Leaseback Net Benefit for the latest Bond film “Casino Royale” and the animation “Max & Co”. 
• Advising Investec Bank on their first film financing transaction – financing Ealing Studio’s “St Trinians” starring Colin Firth and Rupert Everett.
• Advising Stephen Woolley’s Number 9 Films on their forthcoming feature film “How To Lose Friends And Influence People” starring Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst.
• Advising Parallel Film and Television in relation to series 2 of ITV’s Stephen Fry vehicle “Kingdom”.
• Advising Platinum Films in relation to its format licence and distribution agreement with Fremantle in respect of the property “Planet Cook”.