Sam is a native Californian and a graduate of Princeton and Duke Law School. Before Joshua Lyman recruited him to work on the Bartlet Campaign, Sam was an attorney with the Dewy Ballentine firm, and later for Gage Whitney Page, the second largest law firm in New York City. He was working on a case involving oil tankers when Josh came and his horrible poker face gave him away. Sam is the idealist in the White House.

Sam is a strong advocate of the environmental lobby and an excellent speechwriter. However, he has been known to have writer's blocks and overreact when proper attention is not paid to his speeches. He is in favor of great oratory and believes a speech should knock people's socks off. He doesn't mind quoting Mao in his speech and thinks he knew how to get the blood flowing. Sam's favorite non-fiction writer, however, is Toby.

Sam is also the Romeo of the West Wing. Before the White House, he was engaged to be married to a women named Lisa. He once "accidentally" slept with a call girl named Laurie. Later on he had a crush on Mallory, Leo McGarry's daughter, but they never went on an official date. As of now Sam is not dating anyone, but has a very flirtatious relationship with White House Republican Ainsley Hayes.