ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT on Sam Pierce ‘66 (Below is Sam’s full spotlight from the 2021 SOAR magazine) Sam was the valedictorian of the first Anniston Academy graduating class. He also served as SGA President and Senior Class President. Sam earned his undergraduate degrees in Political Science and History at Emory University. He then completed law school at the University of Georgia School of Law. Currently he lives in Marietta, Georgia.
“I suppose I was asked to write this because Alyson was shocked to find such an old but very grateful and proud alumni. Well here goes. My graduating class was the very first one-1966 (also known as the dark ages). A lot has changed since then including the name of the school for it was then known as the Anniston Academy. The student body was much smaller as there were only ten of us in the first graduating class. I believe the next class was about two times that size but the total student body probably totaled less than 90. The physical plant was minuscule when compared to today. The school consisted of one building. There was no field house and the school did not compete in football. All athletic teams changed into their soccer, basketball, field hockey, and baseball uniforms in the respective restrooms. Even though we were small athletic teams, we competed well and won a few trophies. The school did not have a lunchroom. If you did not bring your lunch, culinary choices were limited to gastronomic delights from vending machines. We started each day around the circle by raising the American flag and pledging allegiance to this country. I hope this tradition continues. Indeed since we were so new, few traditions existed. We had no proms or school dances. One aspect of the school which jumped out at that time, and I’m confident continues to this day, is the quality of the teachers. All of mine were equal to, if not superior, to those I had in later years.
After I graduated from the Academy, I entered Emory University in Atlanta from which I graduated with degrees in political science and history in 1970. While in college I was active in student government, the glee club, intramural sports, and the Sigma Chi fraternity. Political science and history majors were very interesting, yet, were not that marketable so I applied to and was admitted to the University of Georgia School of Law. Because of an Air Force ROTC commission and commitment, summer sessions of law school were mandatory which meant I completed law school in December of 1972. Ultimately the Air Force commitment was reduced, and I spent three months on active duty in the summer of 1973 at Warner Robbins Air Force base followed by several years of reserve duty.
My practice of law began in January of 1973 with an excellent mid-size insurance defense law firm. The firm represented insurance companies or self-insured companies, trucking companies, doctors, hospitals, retail establishments just to name a few. Very early in my practice I was given broad responsibilities offering me the chance to try multiple cases to a jury resolution and thus began what has now turned out to be an almost fifty year love of the courtroom and law. For any of you familiar with the practice of law, you know that law firms change about as much as the weather. Thus after about nine years at the first firm, seventeen attorneys, some of us partners, and some associates, formed another insurance defense firm doing the same type work. Within about ten years we grew that to a firm of seventy-five lawyers.
After about nineteen years of representing insurance companies and their insureds and recognizing that I was spending more time managing associates and support staff than actually practicing law, I wanted a big change. My philosophy and focus had shifted. Helping the average man in his battles with larger entities excited me. So with my Don Quixote attitude, I became a solo practitioner representing individuals who had been harmed by tractor trailers, doctors, hospitals, manufacturers of defective products, and just about every conceivable way that injuries can occur. As the expression goes “truth is stranger than fiction”. I certainly found that to be accurate. My practice also included some representation of smaller businesses. For the last thirty years, my practice has continued representing what I oftentimes refer to as the “underdog” and has afforded me the chance to try close to two hundred jury trials and resolve thousands of other cases through negotiations or mediation.
January is the start of fifty years of practice and next year will be my last. I have loved practicing law. The profession has provided me the chance to meet and help many wonderful people, and I can truly say this work has made a difference in many people’s lives. It has provided me with constant intellectual challenges and introduced me to some of the finest people imaginable. Law is the glue that cements the fabric of our society. Respect for our laws prevents complete chaos and protects our country’s great democratic form of government. Being a part of this profession has been a privilege and an honor. As you will read later this ties into part of my requested “words of wisdom” (do not know that they are so wise, just what I feel).
The most important aspect of my life is my wife, children, and grandchildren. I am certain you have all heard the expression that he or she married above themselves. I certainly did! Anne is more intelligent, more attractive, a better parent, and exceeds me in every category. I thank the good Lord every day for blessing me with such a wonderful partner. All three children are well grounded and contribute to the betterment of the world and have given us four grandchildren.
Giving back to your community and chosen organizations are important aspects of a fulfilled life. Over the years I have been involved in various civic boards and served in various capacities with my church. The Rotary Club of East Cobb is where I have devoted much of my energies. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self”. Through this organization I have been able to help less fortunate people in my community and across the globe. If you are not familiar with Rotary or similar civic organizations, I encourage you to give membership a try.
One of the questions posed to me for this article is how my life’s journey has been influenced by my years at the Academy (sorry but I cannot break that habit). As an aside I came to the Academy at the beginning of my junior year, having attended public schools in Jacksonville, Alabama. The answer to the posed question is easy but hard to adequately describe in limited space. The teachers I had at the Academy were fabulous. Each instilled a desire for knowledge and helped me attain that. Each inspired me to perform to the best of my abilities and then some. Each provided a solid role model. Those same people helped me develop leadership skills and confidence. Their instruction, advice, and encouragement laid the foundation for me to successfully complete additional degrees and comfortably take on leadership positions.
Another question posed was do you have words of wisdom? I do not know if what follows constitutes wisdom but I do know synthesizing impacts upon your wellbeing and happiness is hard. Here goes. ENJOY BEING A STUDENT! Despite being challenged and needing to work hard later on in life you will look back and realize those were the years permitting the most freedom and opportunities to explore intellectually, develop and nurture friendships and open your eyes to the many and different people and ideas this world offers. BE A FRIEND! Make and work on as many friends as you can. Value each one. In order to have good friends you must first be that good friend. You will need them and they will need you throughout life. Lastly, FIND YOUR PASSION! Discover what excites you, floats your boat or whatever phrase you want to use. Then pursue that with all of your energy and enthusiasm. Rudyard Kipling wrote a wonderful poem entitled “IF” that I often repeat to myself. A portion of it goes “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that is in it…”Thank you for the opportunity to share with other graduates and supporters of the Donoho School.” – Sam Pierce
Thank YOU, Sam, for your loyal support to The Donoho School. Enjoy your final year before retirement. We sure are proud of you!
