Sam Shapiro, of Potomac, Maryland, passed away on April 19, 2025, at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Linda Shapiro; devoted stepfather to David (Lisa) Merkin and Jill (Billy) McGriff; loving father to Jill (Russ) Barber and Ken (Joanna) Shapiro; cherished grandfather of Laney, Jocelyn, Meg, Amanda, Will, Cody, Maddie, Blue, and Cedar.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Sam was the son of Dorothy (Flax) and Julius Shapiro, and the proud brother of Mary Lou Winkler. A graduate of Wilson High School (1959), Sam's early years were spent roaming Shep's Market, his father's neighborhood grocery store, and cheering on local teams at Griffith Stadium. He developed a lifelong passion for sports, music, and community.

Sam attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his accounting degree in 1963 and became a devoted Tar Heel. He later graduated from American University's Washington College of Law, launching a distinguished legal career that spanned more than five decades. Sam began his practice with the firm of Donohue & Kaufman, where his early success in a landmark inmate rights case earned him both acclaim and a lasting commitment to advocating for the underdog.

Over the years, Sam built a reputation as a fierce and principled trial lawyer, especially in personal injury and civil rights cases against government entities. He was proud to have co-founded the Rockville firm Shapiro, Meiselman & Greene, and later established his own practice, Samuel M. Shapiro, P.A. His work earned him numerous verdicts and the 1991 Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the D.C. Trial Lawyers Association.

A lifelong member of Washington Hebrew Congregation, Sam ushered services for over 40 years and volunteered widely within the legal community, including serving as a bar association mediator and promoting ethics and professionalism as the Chair of Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland's Ethics Committee for more than 40 years.

Beyond the courtroom, Sam was an avid runner — completing more than 25 marathons — and a passionate sports fan. From his personalized license plates ("SKINS" and later "CAPS") to attending over 20 NCAA Final Fours, he embraced every opportunity to root for his teams, especially the Tar Heels.

In 1983, Sam married the love of his life, Linda Sacks Shapiro, and cherished the blended family they built together. Known as "Papa," he was deeply devoted to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family, filling his home and office with photos and pride.

Even as he faced the challenges of heart disease and dementia, Sam's generous heart and fierce spirit never wavered, sustained by the loving care of his wife and caregivers. He will be dearly missed.

A service will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:30 am at the Garden of Remembrance, Clarksburg, Maryland. The family will receive guests at The Perry in Park Potomac Party Room, 12430 Park Potomac Ave., 1st floor, following the service until 2 pm, and in the evening with a Shiva minyan at 7:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to:

Bar Association of Montgomery County, Maryland Bar Foundation (barmont.org)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, General Athletic Fund (giving.unc.edu)

Funeral Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.