Samuel L. Winder graduated from Stanford University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1984 and from the UNM School of Law in 1988. His legal career began in Washington, D.C. where he was in private and government practice for several years. He returned back to Albuquerque and served as a federal prosecutor for over 13 years. He worked for the largest law firm in the state and also started his own successful practice in 2009. He is active in his church and on their board for several years.