Sam is a partner in Pemberton's Detroit Lakes office. Sam has been selected in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 by his peers as one of Minnesota's "Rising Stars" in the legal community. Sam has been a guest lecturer and author for many legal seminars, including recently presented at the Minnesota CLE seminar on Civil Practice, co-authoring a chapter of Minnesota's Civil Practice Deskbook, and presenting on riparian rights and land use issues for Minnesota CLE. Sam also sits on the Minnesota State Bar Association's Outstate Practice Council.

Sam is the third generation of Rufer attorneys to work at Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer and Kershner. Sam practices extensively in civil litigation, focusing on personal injury, products liability, real estate, municipal law and business disputes. Sam has experience representing clients as diverse as Fortune 500 companies, small business owners, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and individuals.

Sam graduated cum laude in 2003 from William Mitchell in St. Paul, MN, and graduated in 1999 from St. John's University in Collegeville, MN.

Sam is admitted to practice in Minnesota State Court and U.S. District Court for the State of Minnesota. Sam has also represented clients in district and appellate jurisdictions across the United States. He is a member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Minnesota Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the Minnesota Association for Justice.

Sam is active in the Detroit Lakes community, and is currently or has in the past sat on the board of the Becker County Bar Association, Detroit Lakes Area College Foundation, Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board, Lakes Curling Club and is active in the Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary club and the Detroit Lakes Young Professionals organization. Sam was awarded the Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce 2011 "Rising Star" award for his dedication to the community and his profession. Sam, his wife Moriya and daughter Marielle and enjoy spending time at the lake, traveling, curling, and golfing.