Lowenstein Sandler’s Sam Noel, a member of the firm’s Tech Group and the Patent Counseling & Prosecution practice, has been chosen to receive the Utah State Bar’s 2018 Pro Bono Publico Young Lawyer Award. The Pro Bono Publico Awards honor lawyers and other members of the legal community who have provided legal services, free of charge, for Utah's most vulnerable citizens, including those in poverty, individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors, minorities, and victims of domestic violence. The Young Lawyer Award is given to a Utah State Bar member in good standing under 36 years of age (and/or a member who has been admitted to the state bar for less than five years) who has performed significant pro bono work. Awards will be presented at an April 30, 2018, Law Day Celebration.

In 2017, Noel devoted 157 hours of patent pro bono assistance through organizations such as Mi Casa’s Pro Bono Patent (ProBoPat) program and California Lawyers for the Arts. He worked closely with a variety of pro bono clients by conducting consultations, handling intake troubleshooting, writing engagement letters, drafting a nonprovisional patent application, and drafting an office action response that led to an allowed patent application. By helping low-income inventors in preparing and prosecuting patent applications, Noel had a significant impact on the lives of innovators whose lack of resources would otherwise have prevented them from bringing their ideas to the fore. 

At Lowenstein Sandler, Noel counsels clients on all facets of intellectual property. Corporations depend on him to protect and defend the patents, trademarks, and copyrights at the foundation of their business. As a professional engineer (P.E.), Noel offers an informed perspective on new technologies and related businesses. His work is bolstered by knowledge of computer architecture, virtualization, networking, software, and semiconductors, as well as his experience in manufacturing, medical devices, mechanical systems, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer. He maintains a special focus in green technologies and is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional (LEED AP).