Reflecting on two decades of actively providing pro bono legal aid — first serving the local Jewish community, then expanding services to all Arizonans — Sam Saks shared his mission with Jewish News to improve access to legal resources and help individuals better navigate their legal challenges.
Recognizing a statewide lack of legal resources, Sam founded Jewish Legal Aid in 2013. Initially aimed at offering free legal education to the Jewish community, the referral service quickly expanded its reach after many outside the community sought legal support. Now known as Legal Aid Arizona, this service connects community members with a trusted network of attorneys and has facilitated over 15,000 referrals, helping those seeking legal aid understand the process and determine next steps for their case.
In the article, Sam underscored a common confusion many face when navigating legal disputes: a lack of clarity on whether their case is actionable. His approach is simple — be honest and upfront to those seeking support while educating them on the challenges they may encounter. During these calls, he provides guidance on issues ranging from landlord-tenant disputes to insurance and family law concerns.
Above all, Sam emphasized his desire to bridge the gap between people who don’t have access to legal help and the attorneys who can assist them.
A respected member of the legal community, Sam has more than 20 years of experience in all phases of commercial litigation and tort litigation, including discovery, motion practice, trial, mediation and appeal. In addition to his volunteer work for civil cases, Sam has successfully negotiated millions of dollars in liens and medical bills to ensure clients receive the maximum value for their claims and is known for his ability to solve complex insurance disputes. He is a co-founder of the Arizona Jewish Lawyers Association and the current President Elect of the Arizona State Bar Board of Governors.
Read the full Jewish News article.