Samuel E. Wing

Samuel E. Wing, a well-known Denver securities law attorney, passed away on November 26, 2024. Born on October 12, 1943, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, as the eldest child of Everett and Virginia Wing, he was raised throughout the west as his father’s career was in the oil fields, with Sam spending his high school years in Casper, Wyoming, where he graduated from Natrona County High School in 1962. He enrolled at Casper College and then attended the University of Denver, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, cum laude (1966). Shortly thereafter, he enrolled in the University of Wyoming, College of Law, receiving a J.D., cum laude (1969), where he was the Editor in Chief of the Wyoming Law Review in 1968-1969. In 1970, he became a certified public accountant in Colorado.

Sam began his legal career in Denver in 1969 as an associate at the Denver law firm of Keller & McSwain. He became a partner in the firm in 1971, which evolved over the years to become Jones & Keller in 1991. In total, Sam practiced law for over 55 years.

Throughout his career, Sam was the lead lawyer in taking dozens of companies public, with many being oil & gas or mining companies. In 1980, his law firm took more companies public than any other firm in the U.S. He also completed all types of securities and business transactions in representing issuers, broker-dealers, sales agents, and selling shareholders, as well as boards of directors and special committees in a variety of securities matters, in going public and going private transactions and in mergers and acquisitions. He was the lead attorney on significant business transactions and joint ventures in the United States and in Australia, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Mozambique, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, the Republic of South Korea, and the United Kingdom. He was a Public Arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority from 1986 through 2023.

Sam was a brilliant intellect, teacher and prolific writer, co-authoring numerous publications including co-author with Harold S. Bloomenthal, “Securities Law-Cases-Text-Problems,” Clark Boardman & Co. (1973); co-author with Harold S. Bloomenthal and Cy Harvey, “Going Public Handbook,” Clark Boardman & Co. (1984); co-author, “Mergers and Acquisitions in Colorado: The Art of Doing Deals,” (2000); and co-author, “Negotiating and Drafting Acquisition Agreements in Colorado,” (2004). He taught securities law, corporate law and accounting for lawyers, as an Adjunct Professor of Law, at the University of Wyoming College of Law (1972-1986), and as a Lecturer at the University of Denver College of Law (1971-1975).

Sam is survived by his daughters Wendy Wing and Morgan Miller; son-in-law Matthew Miller; grandchildren Everett Kane, Sam Kane, Georgia Kane, Giavanna Jeffrey, and Sutton Miller; sister Beth Moore and brother Robin Wing; and several cherished nieces, nephews, and friends. Sam was preceded in death by his parents Everett and Virginia Wing; brother Jon Wing; and brother-in-law Jim Moore.

Although Sam relished his travels around the world and riding his Harley Davidson through Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota, his family and his work were where he found his greatest joy. He was amazingly generous with his family, colleagues and friends. Sam’s legacy will live on through the lives he touched, the principles he championed, and the family he adored.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be held on Saturday, January 18th, from 2:30-4:30pm at Zane's Bistro, 3535 S. Yosemite Street, Denver, CO  80237.

He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace, Sam.