Samuel Borbor-Sawyer,
Vice President

Samuel Borbor-Sawyer was Born in London, raised in Sierra Leone, and proud to call Buffalo home since 2014, Samuel Borbor-Sawyer brings a global perspective to his legal practice and community engagement.  As a Senior Litigation Associate at Phillips Lytle LLP, Samuel represents clients in complex commercial and labor and employment matters and has served as pro bono counsel in civil rights matters.  His work spans sectors such as energy, healthcare, finance, education, insurance, and telecommunications.

Samuel’s experience includes handling antitrust and contract disputes, federal multidistrict litigation, workplace investigations, and employment discrimination matters, as well as assisting court-appointed referees and receivers in complex proceedings.  Before his current role, he gained experience managing personal injury defense matters and appellate litigation.  In the telecommunications arena, he frequently presents on topics such as the deployment of digital infrastructure and attendant regulations.

Before earning his Juris Doctor, Samuel worked in public and nonprofit service, including assisting with community re-entry for individuals with disabilities through Western New York Independent Living and serving as Special Legal Adviser to the Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority, where he oversaw investigations and advised on regulatory and governance matters.

Samuel earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University at Buffalo School of Law (accelerated program), where he was an Associate on the Buffalo Law Review and Buffalo Intellectual Property Law Journal, a Writing Fellow, and Founder of the Buffalo Performing Arts Law Society.  Samuel also holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sierra Leone and a Degree of Utter Barrister from the Sierra Leone Law School, graduating within the top one percent of both classes.  As a founding member of Tink Salone, a civic think tank focused on accountability and the rule of law, Samuel values service and leadership beyond the courtroom.

He has served on the boards of the Erie Niagara Area Health Education Center and the Ukulele Kids Club, where he was Secretary and Chair of the Governance Committee.  Beyond his legal work, Samuel is a singer, songwriter, keyboardist, choir director, and creative entrepreneur who sees advocacy and artistry as powerful tools to elevate and inspire those around him.