News Release

McGlinchey Stafford Mourns the Loss of Sam Bacot

January 4, 2024

It is with profound sadness that McGlinchey announces the passing of Member and friend Samuel A. “Sam” Bacot. Sam passed away on December 22, 2023. Sam’s obituary is available here.

With more than fifty years practicing law, Sam joined McGlinchey in 1999 and spent 23 years in the firm’s Baton Rouge office. He will be sorely missed by clients, colleagues, and friends. Everyone at McGlinchey sends deepest condolences to those who loved him.

Sam focused his practice on representing clients with real estate interests, handling matters in the areas of commercial and industrial real estate, multi-family leasing, related land use and zoning law, corporate, and business law. Well regarded for his “fantastic wealth of real estate law knowledge,” clients remarked that Sam was “brilliant” and “a smart, knowledgeable and excellent lawyer.”

Sam had special experience in large property assemblages, resubdivision, and site plan approvals of all sizes. His clients covered a wide range of industries including gaming, race tracks, petrochemical, residential subdivision development, shipping, commercial retail, and office real estate.

Because Louisiana has a unique set of property laws, outside law firms and title insurance companies frequently called upon Sam to guide transactions for out-of-state companies in the state’s real estate market. As a licensed Louisiana title insurance agent for all major title insurance companies, Sam issued policies to owners, lenders, purchasers, and lessees of Louisiana property. He also served as an instructor on real estate and contract law and taught at more than 40 seminars statewide. Additionally, he taught business law at Louisiana State University and was a certified instructor for the Louisiana Real Estate Licensing Board.

Recognized by distinguished publications including Chambers USA, Louisiana Super Lawyers, and Martindale-Hubbell, Sam received the esteemed “Lawyer of the Year” distinction for Baton Rouge from the Best Lawyers of America in the areas of Real Estate Law as well as Real Estate Litigation six times, collectively.

Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church located at 763 North Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 on January 5th from 9:30-11:00 followed immediately by a memorial service at 11:00. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the American Cancer Society or First Presbyterian Church.

Remembrances from Sam’s Colleagues:

Sam was the unique combination of a gentleman’s gentleman, and a renaissance man. There are very few people as nice and kind as Sam was and as knowledgeable about a multitude of subjects as he was.

– Michael Ferachi, Managing Member

Sam’s family said it best – he was the coolest guy on the planet. Sam’s magnetic personality, quick wit, entertaining stories, and sheer brilliance will be missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.

– Zelma Murray Frederick, Baton Rouge Office Managing Member

Sam was master of land title work and was sought out for his assistance with complicated title work such as assemblages and complex commercial real estate transactions. He was one of, if not the first in the state of Louisiana to conceive, draft and record multiple condominium regime real estate developments after passage of the state’s condominium regime laws, and was often sought out to consult on complex commercial multi-use “condo” regimes.

– J-P Perrault, Baton Rouge Member