Gary is a highly skilled trial attorney who has successfully handled more than 200 major jury trials throughout his career. With a primary focus on the health care industry, he represents doctors, nurses, health care practitioners, hospitals, and facilities of all types when facing catastrophic outcomes and medical malpractice lawsuits. Gary divides his time between our King of Prussia and Philadelphia offices.
Gary is also experienced in complex civil litigation matters encompassing all areas of professional liability, sexual assault, property litigation and intellectual property. Representing clients in the federal and state courts, he has successfully argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and he has handled scores of bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. He serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and is a trained mediator.
Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Gary chaired the Professional Liability and Catastrophic Loss practice groups at a well-known Philadelphia-based law firm. Gary was named one of Pennsylvania's Top 100 Lawyers and one of Philadelphia's Top 100 Lawyers five times, and has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer since 2006 by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers . He is also recognized in the 2025 and 2024 editions of The Best Lawyers in America for professional malpractice law - defendants.
Outside of the courtroom, Gary is a distinguished speaker and lecturer on litigation topics including trial tactics, expert selection and cross-examination. He has also been featured on Fox Business News' "Xpert Forum" program.
Honors & awards
AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
The Best Lawyers in America , Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
2024-2026
The Legal Intelligencer - Professional Excellence Award - “Distinguished Leader”
2020
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers
2006-2025; Top 100 in Pennsylvania, 2009-2011, 2013-2014; Top 100 in Philadelphia, 2009-2011, 2013-2014
Suburban Life Magazine - Top Attorneys
2013-2022
Year joined
2024
Results
Secured a Unanimous Defense Verdict on Behalf of an orthopedic surgeon
Health Care Liability
October 9, 2025
We secured a unanimous defense verdict in Philadelphia on behalf of a prominent orthopedic surgeon accused of inappropriate touching of a patient. The plaintiff alleged that the physician inappropriately touched her during a preoperative examination for bilateral hip surgery. Through meticulous cross-examination and persuasive argument, the defense team achieved a complete victory.
Effective Cross-Examination Leads to Defendant's Dismissal Mid-Trial
Health Care Liability
September 30, 2025
We represented an orthopedic practice in a case involving a former NFL player and opera singer who alleged permanent injuries after knee surgery and the failure to diagnose a pseudoaneurysm. Our highly-effective cross-examination of the plaintiff's witnesses resulted in our client's dismissal before the close of the trial, with the plaintiff choosing to limit their recovery to the remaining defendants.
Defense Verdict Obtained After a Six-Day Jury Trial
Health Care Liability
September 2, 2025
We obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a hospital and two Emergency Department physicians after a six-day jury trial in a complex and extremely emotional case involving the death of 7-year-old child. Allegations of negligence surrounded the failure to admit and perform a urine drug screen on an 18-year-old who presented high on synthetic marijuana or K2. We argued that the doctors appropriately performed numerous exams, tested and monitored the patient until he achieved clinical sobriety.
Defense Verdict on Behalf of Hospital and Emergency Department Doctors
Health Care Liability
Catastrophic Claims Litigation
Cannabis Law
August 29, 2025
We obtained a defense verdict on behalf of one of the Philadelphia region’s largest hospitals and two of its Emergency Department physicians after a six-day jury trial in a complex and extremely emotional case involving the death of 7-year-old child. Allegations of negligence surrounded the failure to admit and perform a urine drug screen on an 18-year-old who presented high on synthetic marijuana or K2. We argued that the doctors appropriately performed numerous exams, tested and monitored the patient until he achieved clinical sobriety.
Successfully Dismantled a Complex Claim Against a Major Health Care Corporation
Health Care Liability
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
June 25, 2025
We succeeded in partially dismantling a complex claim against a major health care client. The family of a former in-patient resident who died as a result of complications from the COVID-19 virus filed suit, raising claims that the patient was sexually assaulted while in the care of the hospital and a subsidiary ambulance company. Asked to join the defense team shortly before trial, we effectively discredited the plaintiff’s witnesses throughout the plaintiff’s case-in-chief.
Thought Leadership
Marshall Dennehey Trial Lawyers and Appellate Chair Talk Nuclear Verdicts in A.M. Best’s Insurance Law Podcast
Catastrophic Claims Litigation
Health Care Liability
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
November 7, 2025
Three attorneys from Marshall Dennehey- John “Jack” Delany, III, Chair of Marshall Dennehey’s Catastrophic Claims Litigation Practice Group, veteran medical malpractice shareho
Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions
Philadelphia - Headquarters
Catastrophic Claims Litigation
Health Care Liability
October 30, 2025
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
May 22, 2025
Thirty-three attorneys across Marshall Dennehey's five Pennsylvania offices have been selected to the 2025 edition of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers magazine.
Marshall Dennehey Earns Four Finalist Honors in 2025 Pennsylvania Legal Awards
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
Product Liability
Health Care Liability
Miscellaneous Professional Liability
April 17, 2025
Marshall Dennehey has been named a finalist in four categories as part of The Legal Intelligencer and Law.com 2025 Pennsylvania Legal Awards. The categories include:
Prominent Trial Attorney Gary Samms Brings Health Care Litigation Group to Marshall Dennehey
Health Care Liability
September 18, 2024
Gary Samms, one of the Philadelphia region’s premier medical malpractice trial attorneys, has moved to Marshall Dennehey, bringing with him members of his litigation group from Ober
Classes/Seminars Taught
Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions , A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast, October 30, 2025
Media Commentary
"KIRO-7 Investigates Lag Time Between Complaints Against Doctors and Discipline Catching Up," KIRO-7 (Seattle-based TV station affiliated with CBS and Telemundo), November 6, 2025. Gary provided the defense perspective in a segment about the lag time between complaints against doctors and the time it takes to investigate before any discipline is enforced.
Phila. Anesthesiologist Wins Defense Verdict in Multimillion-Dollar Case Over C-Section Complications , The Legal Intelligencer
The Defense Bar Is Feeling the Strain: Busy Med Mal Trial Schedules Might Be Phila.'s 'New Normal' , The Legal Intelligencer
Philadelphia Jury Returns Defense Verdict in $12M Infant Death Case , The Legal Intelligencer
Philadelphia on Track for Record Year of High-Dollar Verdicts, The Legal Intelligencer
In Rarely Used Argument, Temple Says $25.9M Verdict Would Hurt the Community , The Legal Intelligencer
Fed. Judge Allows Lawsuit Alleging 'Skill' Games Are Illegal Gambling to Proceed-For Now , The Legal Intelligencer
An Older Pa. Woman Was Placed Under Guardianship. Her Family Says the System Betrayed Her , The Philadelphia Inquirer
Suburban Med Mal Findings Plummet as Plaintiffs Flock to Philadelphia , The Legal Intelligencer
Casinos Fight for Gaming Turf as Vegas-Style Machines Show Up in Local Bars, Convenience Stores , The Wall Street Journal
UPMC 'Provision' Could Ward Off Effects of Looming Med Mal Venue Rule Change-If It Can Survive in Court , The Legal Intelligencer