Sam Rudolph is a Partner at Valence LLP.

Sam specializes in sophisticated commercial real estate transactions for clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations. She focuses on negotiating office, retail, life sciences, and industrial leases and subleases for both landlords and tenants across the United States. Drawing on her extensive experience and practical business approach, Sam develops strategic solutions, making her a trusted advisor for clients navigating complex real estate transactions. Her comprehensive practice encompasses all aspects of commercial real estate, from advising clients on deal structuring and strategy, to negotiating and documenting commercial leases, subleases, amendments, and other commercial contracts, through successfully closing the transaction.

Prior to joining Valence, Sam was a senior associate at an AmLaw 100 firm, where she handled high-value commercial leasing transactions and dispositions and acquisitions. Her experience includes representing major national retailers, corporate office tenants, and developers in structuring and negotiating real estate deals that align with their business objectives.

Beyond her client work, Sam is a recognized leader in the commercial real estate community.  Sam currently serves as the 2025 President of the San Francisco chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW), a national organization dedicated to supporting the achievements of women in commercial real estate.

Sam is admitted to practice in California. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Davis, School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Southern California. Outside of work, Sam is an avid fan of the NBA, particularly the Phoenix Suns (although that has been a bit difficult while living in the Bay Area), enjoys running and Pilates and traveling with her family and friends.

Representative Transactions

• Serving as national real estate counsel to leading technology companies in connection with their nationwide office leasing portfolios and strategic expansion initiatives across multiple markets.
• Assisting a leading software development company in the strategic restructuring of their leasing portfolio.
• Negotiating a 275,000 square foot full building lease for a pharmaceutical client including negotiating a build-to-suit work letter with a considerable lab space buildout.
• Negotiating a multi-year extension on a 300,000 square foot warehouse lease.
• Negotiating an 80,000 square foot full building industrial lease.
• Representing a leading technology company in connection with their national portfolio of leases for car rentals, parking, and other related uses.
• Representing a not-for-profit organization in its retail/warehouse leasing expansion of over 10 locations in Northern California and Arizona.
• Assisting various technology companies with office, R&D, and warehousing space.

Awards & Recognition

• 2021 - 2025 Best Lawyers in America© “Ones to Watch” for Real Estate Law
• 2024 Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Stars

Speaking Engagements & Events

• 2024 Real Property Law Retreat, California Lawyers Association Real Property Law, Commercial Leasing: Basics of Tenant Representation (Speaker, March 8, 2024)