I am a San Diego native and grew up here in East County. After high school, I went to college in Virginia, where I met my wife, Valinda. We graduated together and ended up moving back to my wife’s hometown in West Virginia. I soon got hired on as a police officer there in Martinsburg, WV.
Serving as a police officer was one of the greatest challenges and privileges of my lifetime. For me, the most fascinating part was getting to interact with people from every walk of life imaginable. I learned a ton about people, conflict, and problem-solving. However, one thing I couldn’t do as a police officer was satisfy my lifelong dream of being an entrepreneur.
After five years in law enforcement, I received the opportunity to go to law school. I saw it as my opportunity to build on my experience and start my own business as a lawyer. As quickly as we could, my wife and I sold our house, quit our jobs, and started driving back home to San Diego.
My law enforcement experience helped me to do well in law school. I graduated early in just two years and gained experience working in criminal law, civil law, and the court system. I was fortunate to be able to take and pass the bar exam on my first attempt, but what I didn’t anticipate was that it gave me my license to practice law right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unwilling to let anything stand in the way of my dreams—including a pandemic—I opened my law practice in May of 2020. I had to be both careful and creative in figuring out how to make it all work under unprecedented circumstances. Those challenging times helped me to develop my estate planning practice, where I could use the law to help my friends, family, and neighbors protect their families and legacies.
Today, our firm, the McGovern Law Group, has offices in La Mesa and Alpine. We work hands-on with clients to help their families avoid conflict, and we love what we do.
About Sam McGovern
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife, Valinda McGovern, works with me, managing our law firm. We are dog parents of two rescued racing greyhounds from Mexico.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve realized that working as a police officer uniquely prepared me to be an estate planning attorney by making me an expert in conflict prevention. I love putting all my experience to work in helping clients protect their family and legacy from future conflict.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never stop pursuing your best life. I’m a firm believer that it’s never too late to move, make a career change, or do whatever you need to do in order to pursue the best version of your life that you can imagine.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Our goal is to continue to build a law firm that serves as a valuable resource for families all over San Diego County. San Diego is home, and we’ll still be here working to build our reputation for serving our community and the wonderful people in it.
Sam McGovern & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
For a casual/bar atmosphere, I like Eastbound Bar & Grill in Lakeside as well as the Hills Pub in La Mesa. I’m also a big fan of the Brigantine and Anthony’s here in the La Mesa area.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born and raised in East County!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
One of my good friends, Tom Tamar, has a fascinating story of moving to the United States from Iran at age 18 to now running a very large and successful security company. He’s one of many examples of interesting people in our community who have come to San Diego to create a great life for themselves.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I think one of the most iconic local businesses for those of us who grew up in East County is the Yogurt Mill in El Cajon. I have many great memories of going there with friends after school and on weekends as a kid.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that San Diego has practically any experience available that you could ask for. You can try food or experience cultures from all over the world without having to leave our community.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I would love to have lunch with Elon Musk because I’m fascinated with how he thinks and achieves things that most people would think are impossible. I’d probably take him to Eastbound in Lakeside because I doubt he is impressed by the traditional “fancy” spots anymore.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ve lost count of how many times I have watched all the episodes of The Office.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I once came very close to opening a coffee-roasting business. I’m still always on the lookout for the best cup of coffee around.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The ability we have as San Diegans to take a walk on the beach any time.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
So many of the amazing business leaders I’ve had the opportunity to meet here in San Diego.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
I’m very involved with and serve on the boards of directors for the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and Home of Guiding Hands. I also serve on the Lakeside Community Planning Group.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Lakeside
What I love about my Neighborhood:
It’s a quiet community where people value working hard to create the life you want to live.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Spending one day on the coast and the next day in the mountains (and maybe even grabbing a slice of pie in Julian).
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Life, intention, and peace.
