Metropolitan News-Enterprise

 

Thursday, October 27, 2005

 

Page 3

 

Samuels Named Outstanding Corporate Counsel by LACBA

 

By Jim Riggio, Staff Writer

 

The Los Angeles County Bar Assn., has announced that Sandor E. Samuels, senior managing director and chief legal officer of Countrywide Fiancial Corporation, has been chosen to receive the Outstanding Corporate Counsel Award at a dinner event next month.

Countrywide Financial Corporation Chairman & CEO Angelo R. Mozilo will present the award to Samuels.

“I’m very flattered and honored about it.  There have been some outstanding attorneys who have received this award before me and I’m honored to be in their company,’’ Samuels said. “I’ve been at Countrywide for almost 16 years and I’ve been very active in a lot of different activities. When I joined the company it was on its way upward and it’s been a great experience. This is a phenomenal company to work for.”

In his role as chief legal officer, Samuels has overseen Countrywide’s transaction, regulatory, litigation, and public affairs activities. He is also an advisor to senior management on legal issues and is a member of the corporation’s Executive Strategy Committee.

Samuels, 53, graduated from Fairfax High in 1970. He then attended Princeton University, where he graduated with high honors in 1974 in Near-Eastern Studies. Samuels then returned home to attend UCLA Law School, where he graudated from, and was admitted to practice in 1977. Upon graduation, he served as a clerk for Irving Hill, a U.S. District Court judge for the Central District of California. In 1979, Samuels joined the firm of Munger, Tolles and Olson in Los Angeles. He was a member of the law department of First Interstate Bancorp from 1984-89, becoming senior vice president and general counsel in 1988.

The honor for Samuels follows another award he received in 2004, when he was honored by Bet Tzedek Legal Services, who presented him with the Luis Lainer Founder’s Award. Samuels is now Bet Tzedek’s president-elect.

“I’m very proud of the organizations I’m involved with,’’ Samuels said.

 

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