Meet the Sam Mangel Team
Sam Mangel took his first step into federal prison consulting years ago, founding this company on his own with a simple goal: to offer real help to people when they need it most. Thanks to that clarity of purpose, what started as a one-person mission quickly grew, driven by Sam’s unwavering belief in compassion, integrity, and service you can count on.
Today, Sam is joined by a group of dedicated professionals who share his vision and values. Each team member brings unique experience, genuine empathy, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Together, we strive to meet people where they are, providing guidance and support through life’s darkest chapters.
Sam Mangel
Founder
Sam Mangel is the founder of the firm and a leading federal prison consultant, recognized for his compassionate guidance and firsthand expertise with the federal justice system. Sam’s professional background spans decades in the insurance industry, but it was his own experience facing federal charges and incarceration that fundamentally shaped his path and his life’s work.
After navigating the legal system and serving time at FCI Miami, Sam gained a unique, insider perspective on the complex and often overwhelming process that defendants and their families endure. Motivated to help others through similar challenges, he built a practice focused on empowering clients, providing them with not only strategic guidance for sentencing, prison preparation, and reentry, but also much-needed empathy and support.
Today, Sam works with a diverse range of clients, from executives and professionals to public figures, helping them and their loved ones prepare for each stage of the federal justice process. He is known for bringing clarity, honesty, and a deep sense of humanity to his work, ensuring no one has to navigate these daunting circumstances alone.
Outside of his professional life, Sam is an avid cyclist and pickleball player.
Eric Singleton, J.D.
Consultant
Shelbee Szeto
Paralegal
Shelbee Szeto is a paralegal and federal criminal case consultant with lived experience navigating the federal justice system. She is dedicated to supporting defendants and their families through one of the most isolating and uncertain chapters of their lives, bridging the gap between legal teams and the real-life impact of prosecution. Shelbee empowers her clients by helping them understand what lies ahead, preparing them emotionally, and ensuring they feel supported rather than defeated.
Having experienced incarceration firsthand, Shelbee witnessed how easily individuals can be overlooked in a system not designed for support or rehabilitation. While serving time, she became a certified paralegal to help fellow inmates advocate for their rights, manage their federal cases, and begin to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.
Today, Shelbee leverages her training, personal experience, and compassion to guide defendants through every stage—from court preparation and sentencing to incarceration, clemency, and reentry. Her support goes beyond legal services: she offers clarity, consistency, and genuine communication, priding herself on being responsive, reliable, and deeply human throughout the process. Shelbee’s mission is to ensure that no one faces the daunting prospect of federal prosecution feeling alone or powerless.
Shelbee holds a B.A. in Communications and Sociology from the University of California, Davis. With over 12 years of business operations experience, she excels at managing the many moving parts of federal cases with precision and efficiency. She is passionate about second chances, criminal justice reform, and helping others turn adversity into purpose. Based in the Bay Area, California, Shelbee enjoys traveling, fitness, and practicing gratitude, and shares her life with her two dogs.