Given Sam Sparks' stature, it is no surprise he played college football or that he is an imposing presence in the courtroom and at the negotiating table.

The most substantial part of Sam's character, however, has always been the size of his heart. In fact, Sam's concern for other people is the reason he is a personal injury attorney.

When the strong injure the weak or greed overcomes judgement, Sam takes it personally, and he champions justice with an effectiveness that earns him a statewide reputation.

A member of the firm since 1972, Sam takes pride in the responsive, teamwork approach achieved at Webb, Stokes & Sparks, as well as the record of success the firm has achieved during almost a half-century of practice. The goals of obtaining justice for the injured and helping society insist on decent and fair treatment for those who have been harmed touched Sam's heart in the beginning and continue to fire his passion today.

"Behind each case there is someone - maybe many people - who suffered, people whose lives were changed. You can never forget that fact," Sam says.

Sam also is an involved parent, a past member of the San Angelo Independent School District board of directors, and an avid fisherman. "Fishing with my family is the one thing I enjoy as much as the law," he says.

Admitted to Texas Bar, 1970. Admitted to practice before U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas. Board Certified, Personal Injury Trial Law, 1978. Member Tom Green County Bar Association, American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, College of the State Bar of Texas, Texas Trial Lawyers Association (Director, 1974-1991, Director Emeritus, 1991-present), American Association for Justice (Board of Governors, 1992), and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Sam was born in Roswell, New Mexico, Oct. 24, 1944. Graduate Kilgore Junior College; Sul Ross State University (B.S., 1967). Doctor of Jurisprudence, the University of Texas, 1970. He joined the firm in 1972; Partner since 1974.