Samuel Whalen received his law degree from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He completed legal internships with the Lindsay Law Firm and the Butler County Office of Public Defender. Before attending law school, Samuel Whalen attended Slippery Rock University in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania.
Following his legal education, Samuel Whalen joined the Erie County Public Defender in Erie, Pennsylvania, as an assistant public defender, during which time he successfully represented numerous clients. In 2026, he joined The McShane Firm in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. During his time in this position, he has focused his practice on the representation of clients charged with criminal offenses. As a criminal defense attorney, he is well-versed in local, state, and federal law, including his client’s 4th Amendment and 5th Amendment rights and driving under the influence laws.
During his legal career, Mr. Whalen has established himself as a member of several important professional organizations, including the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Dauphin County Bar Association, and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association. When he is not defending the rights of his clients in criminal courts, he enjoys learning and reading about history.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I like to get up early and have time to prepare for the day. I take a shower, eat breakfast, and listen to the radio on the way to the office. I catch up on voicemails and emails, then I check the calendar and see what I need to prioritize for the day. Schedules vary from day to day, but I’m always trying to be productive. I like to go out to get lunch around noon. I may head to the gym after work, then it is time to settle in.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I usually start by breaking an idea down into its simplest parts so I can see what is actually required to make it work. For example, if it is a new approach to a case, I will outline the theory, list the evidence needed, and identify potential weaknesses upfront. I tend to write things out longhand first, then refine them on the computer into motions, arguments, or checklists. I also like to talk ideas through with a colleague or two, because having to explain something out loud often exposes gaps or opportunities I did not initially see.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the increasing use of technology to improve fairness in the criminal justice system. Tools like better digital evidence management, improved forensic methods, and data-driven reviews, etc. As a defense attorney, it is encouraging to see more courts and practitioners willing to revisit old assumptions in light of new information. This shift toward greater transparency and accountability gives me cautious optimism that the system can move closer to delivering real justice, not just quick outcomes.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I stay hydrated. It sounds simple, but it makes a noticeable difference in my focus and energy, especially on long days in court or when I am drafting documents for hours at a time. I keep a large bottle of water at my desk and in my bag so that I do not have to think about it too much. Staying hydrated also forces me to take small breaks, which helps me return to my work with a clearer head.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Do not worry so much. I would tell my younger self that it is okay not to have everything figured out right away and that careers, relationships, and plans can develop in unexpected ways. Many of the things that felt catastrophic at the time ended up teaching me useful lessons or pushing me toward better opportunities. I would also remind myself that it is fine to set boundaries and that saying no to something is not the same as failing.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I do not like coffee. In a profession where it feels like everyone lives on espresso, that usually surprises people. I have tried it in just about every form imaginable and still do not enjoy it. I tend to rely on sleep, water, and energy drinks. People often insist I just have not had the “right” coffee yet, but at this point, I am comfortable being the outlier.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
One thing I repeatedly do is review my calendar and task list for the next day before I leave the office. I take a few minutes to confirm deadlines, check court appearances, and prioritize the top three things I must accomplish. This simple habit reduces the chances of something important slipping through the cracks and helps me mentally “close” the workday. I recommend everyone adopt some kind of end-of-day review routine, because it creates a sense of control and makes the next morning much less chaotic.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I step away from my desk and change my environment for a few minutes. That might mean taking a short walk around the block, getting a glass of water, or simply closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths. I also like to write down everything that is on my mind and then sort it into what is urgent, what is important, and what can wait. Turning vague stress into a concrete list helps me see that not everything needs to be solved at once, which makes it easier to focus on the next step.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me is consistently over-preparing for every appearance, no matter how minor it might seem. As a defense attorney, you never know which hearing, conversation, or document will end up being pivotal for a client. By making a habit of knowing the file inside and out, I have been able to spot issues on the fly, respond confidently to unexpected questions from the judge, and build credibility with clients and colleagues. Over time, that reputation for thoroughness has led to better referrals, more complex cases, and greater trust.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Missed a deadline to file a petition; I fixed it afterwards, I learned to calendar events. At the time, it was a deeply uncomfortable experience because deadlines are critical in this line of work. I immediately took responsibility, informed the relevant parties, and did everything possible procedurally to remedy the situation. Afterwards, I built a more robust system with multiple reminders, redundancies, and regular reviews of upcoming due dates. The lesson I took away was that relying on memory alone is reckless; strong systems are not optional, they are a professional obligation.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Be honest up front. In practical terms, one business idea is to create a specialized legal consultancy that focuses on giving clients honest early-case assessments. Many people come to lawyers with unrealistic expectations because no one has clearly explained the likely outcomes and costs.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Outlook for email, calendar, scheduling. I use it to manage court dates, client meetings, filing deadlines, and reminders all in one place. I color-code different categories of events so I can see, at a glance, how my week is divided between court, office work, and personal time. I also rely heavily on recurring reminders for tasks like reviewing open files and checking in with clients, which helps me stay consistent even when my schedule is unpredictable.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was on having several pairs of work shoes professionally resoled and cleaned rather than buying new ones. It might not sound exciting, but in court appearances and client meetings, looking put-together matters, and comfortable shoes make long days far more bearable. Investing in maintenance instead of replacement saved me money, reduced waste, and gave me a small, daily reminder that taking care of what you already have can be more valuable than constantly chasing something new.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
“Empire of Horses” by John Man. I appreciate it because it combines history, biography, and travel writing in a way that makes a distant time and place feel very immediate. Reading about leadership, strategy, and resilience in completely different contexts helps me step outside the narrow focus of law and think more broadly about human behavior and decision-making.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
“Project Haily Mary.” I enjoyed it because it blends science, problem-solving, and storytelling in a way that feels both intense and surprisingly hopeful. Watching a character methodically tackle life-or-death problems with limited information and resources is oddly relatable as a defense attorney, albeit on a much less dramatic scale. It reinforces the idea that staying curious, calm, and systematic under pressure can turn impossible situations into solvable ones.
Key learnings
- Establishing strong organizational systems and reliable calendaring practices is essential in high-stakes professions where missed deadlines can have serious consequences.
- Simple habits such as staying hydrated, planning the next day in advance, and taking short breaks can significantly improve focus and productivity.
- Radical honesty—with clients, colleagues, and oneself—builds long-term trust and can form the basis of effective professional services.
- Periodically stepping back to reassess priorities, expectations, and worries helps maintain perspective and reduces unnecessary stress.
- Thorough preparation, even for seemingly minor tasks or appearances, can create opportunities, enhance credibility, and positively shape career growth.