Samuel A. Hipps

Sam Hipps is a partner in Smith Anderson's Finance group, where he focuses his practice on representing commercial banks in venture debt transactions. He also represents venture debt borrowers and practices in sponsor finance, mezzanine finance, and other commercial lending transactions. Sam balances his substantive and technical experience with a practical, relationship-driven approach to lending work, protecting his clients' interests without losing sight of the business realities driving the deal.

Prior to joining Smith Anderson, Sam worked for an international law firm, where he represented commercial banks and private credit lending institutions in a broad range of bilateral and syndicated finance transactions, including acquisition financings, refinancings, and restructurings.

Sam enjoys running, surfing, and boating.

Recognition

• Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® in America, Banking and Finance Law (2024-2027)

Education

• University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D., with honors, 2017
  • Comments Editor, North Carolina Law Review
  • Eugene Gressman & Daniel H. Pollitt Oral Advocacy Award
• North Carolina State University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2014

Bar & Court Admissions

• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $100 million senior credit facility with a management services organization (MSO) providing mental health services.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $40 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in software development.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $26.5 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in cloud management.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $15 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in data research.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $15 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in AI-enabled wealth management.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $3 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in life sciences.
• Represented a venture lending bank in connection with a $2 million senior credit facility with a company specializing in employee benefits and analytics.
• Represented a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company in its assumption of all customer deposits and certain other liabilities, and acquisition of substantially all loans and certain other assets, of a bridge bank, as successor to the failed bank subsidiary of a Nasdaq-listed bank holding company, from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver for the bridge bank.
• Represented a private equity fund in its acquisition of a leading digital patient recruitment company.