Serving Ohio Communities Through Workers’ Compensation Representation and Elected Office
“It’s the day-to-day good deeds of regular people that make the world a better, safer place,” Sam Marcellino said when asked about his path to a legal career. “I just wanted to do my part, and during several jobs in the service and retail sectors in my younger years, seeing my friends and coworkers get injured at work were crucible moments that moved me towards workers’ compensation law.”
From serving community members as a young teen while working in local restaurants and retail shops, to working in a factory for summer work during college, to representing injured Ohio workers at the state’s largest workers’ compensation and injury firm, Sam Marcellino commits himself daily to doing his part.
Living in Service to Others in Academia, Career Roles, and Pro Bono Activities
Sam’s ethos of service began long before his legal career. As an undergrad, Sam volunteered through his fraternity, Phi Delta Theta. While President of his law school Student Bar Association, he won several awards for his community service. He also won the Dean’s Award for his academic achievements. Simultaneously, Sam served as a Certified Legal Intern for the City of Toledo Prosecutor’s Office where he assisted attorneys with trial preparation, successfully prosecuted several misdemeanor trials, negotiated plea deals, responded to discovery requests, researched legal issues, and drafted memoranda.
Sam immediately dove into workers’ compensation law after passing the bar in 2013. He dedicated his career to people, not corporations, and in addition to worker’s comp, he’s also worked in consumer protection, landlord-tenant litigation, personal injury, and employment law. Prior to joining NRS Injury Law, Sam managed a workers’ compensation department at a Plaintiff’s law firm while overseeing more than 1,000 cases in various stages of litigation.
In September 2021, Sam joined the team at NRS Injury Law as a partner managing the Columbus office. Every day, Sam works closely with the other partners while simultaneously guiding his team in representing thousands of injured workers across Ohio. His leadership, combined with his tenacity and drive, are evidenced in exemplary results for the firm's clients.
Bringing Emotional Intelligence and Objective Reasoning to His Day-to-Day Casework
“Injured workers have a Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial,” Sam said. “And while some firms and certainly big corporations will try to keep injured workers out of court, my aim is to represent my clients in the exact capacity they need in order to win. We at NRS Injury Law have the structure and resources to take cases to trial anytime and every time, if that’s what’s needed to win for our clients.”
Drawing from a personal dedication to making Ohio better for his wife, daughter, family, and community, Sam leverages exceptional emotional intelligence and objective reasoning in all his casework. “We’re improving life and living conditions for all Ohioans, one case at a time,” says Sam. “For me, I read each room and see each case for what it is. I analyze each closely, commit myself to helping my clients, and navigate every legal hurdle with confidence and familiarity because I know I’m making my state better for future generations, one victory at a time. We’re improving the lives of our clients, but we’re also improving the legal systems we all operate in and making Ohio’s legal landscape more amenable to workers, not corporations.”
Making Ohio a Better Place by Way of Elected Office and Leadership Positions
Outside the office and courtroom, Sam is passionate about helping his community flourish and prosper. He embodies the age-old saying, “If you want something done, do it yourself.” Sam works closely with the Ohio Association for Justice, where he advocates for legislation to protect Ohio workers. Sam is also an elected member of the City of Bexley City Council, where he loyally represents his community and works daily to improve it.
Community Involvement
- City of Bexley, City Council (2021-Present)
- City of Bexley, Complaint Liaison (2020-2022)
- City of Bexley, Charter Review Commission (2020-2021)
- Wexner Heritage Village – Board of Directors (2021-Present)
- Klarity Medical Products (USA) - Board of Directors (2019-Present)
- Final Third Foundation – Board of Directors
- Kid’s Chance of Ohio – Board of Directors
For as long as he can remember, Sam’s core philosophy has been that dedicated service to Ohioans has a ripple effect. “When everyday people do good deeds in their communities, they create a cumulative effect that is far greater than any hero or celebrity,” Sam said.
Work/Life Balance
When he’s not managing cases, counseling clients, litigating, or working in his elected roles and volunteer capacities, Sam spends important time with his wife and daughter. He attends sporting events, golfs, and enjoys quiet days at home watching his daughter learn new skills and develop ever-changing interests.
Don't Wait to Seek Legal Help from Sam Marcellino
Sam’s goal is to put in the good fight for working Ohioans. His hands-on approach and day-to-day willingness to do whatever it takes to help workers win their cases aligns perfectly with NRS Injury Law’s mission to: “Provide empathetic and patient service to every person who calls the firm, and to relentlessly pursue the best possible outcome on behalf of every client by putting collective experience, knowledge, and passion to work every day.” To retain an effective legal team with a proven track record and to speak with Sam and the firm about your case, call 855-468-4878 or fill out a convenient online contact form.
Practice Areas
- Workers’ Compensation
- Personal Injury
- Employment Law
Education
- University of Toledo College of Law, Toledo, Ohio
- J.D. - 2013
- Honors: Dean’s Award
- Honors: Inns of Court
- Honors: Student Involvement Award
- Honors: Public Service Commendation
- Honors: Legal Equal Opportunity Scholarship
- Honors: Dean’s List
- University of Kentucky
- B.A. - 2010
- Honors: Dean's List
Bar Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio
Professional Associations
- Ohio Association for Justice, Treasurer, 2024 to 2025
- Ohio Association for Justice, Secretary, 2023 to 2024
- Ohio Association for Justice, Executive Committee Member, 2021 to Present
- Ohio Association for Justice, Board Member, 2020 to Present
- Ohio Association for Justice, Workers’ Compensation Section Chair, 2021 to 2022
- Ohio Association for Justice, Workers’ Compensation Vice Chair OAJ, 2020 to 2021
- Ohio State Bar Association, OSBA Leadership Academy, 2019
- Columbus Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Committee Chair, 2020 to 2021
- Columbus Bar Association, CBA Barrister Leadership Program, 2018
- Central Ohio Association for Justice
Honors
- National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40, since 2018
- National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 – Civil Plaintiff’s Attorney
- Super Lawyers, Rising Star: Workers’ Compensation, since 2021
- Columbus CEO Top Lawyers: Workers’ Compensation, since 2023
- Best Lawyers, Ones to Watch: Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, and Employment Law, since 2022
Pro-Bono Activities
- Wexner Heritage Village, Board of Directors (2021-Present)
- Klarity Medical Products, Board of Directors (2019-Present)
- City of Bexley, Complaint Liaison (2020-2022)
- City of Bexley, Charter Review Commission (2020-2021)
- City of Bexley, City Council (2022-Present)