Growing up, Sarah witnessed the dedication and sacrifices her family made while operating restaurant and construction businesses in California. These early experiences inspire her passion for delivering practical, solution-oriented advice to employers navigating litigation and sensitive workplace matters.

Sarah is an expert in leave of absence administration and has extensive experience handling discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, and wage-and-hour cases — including class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) claims.

Professional Experience

Sarah began her legal career in litigation at Matheny Sears Linkert & Jaime LLP, where she defended personal injury and employment matters for clients ranging from small businesses and nonprofits to large commercial retailers and public entities.

She later focused her practice exclusively on employment law litigation at Best Best & Krieger LLP, deepening her experience representing employers in complex workplace disputes.

Most recently, Sarah served as an Employment Law Subject Matter Expert at the California Chamber of Commerce, where she:

• Answered over 1,000 questions on the Labor Law Helpline for a wide range of businesses.

• Drafted employee handbook policies.

• Served as an expert panelist, training employers on HR best practices, leaves of absence, and wage-and-hour compliance.

Achievements

In 2025, Sarah was named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list — an honor awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state who demonstrate excellence and professional achievement early in their legal careers.

Representative Results

• Won a Labor Commissioner hearing on behalf of a nonprofit facing over $100,000 in alleged damages for exempt employee misclassification.

• Secured Summary Judgment on behalf of a large commercial retailer.

• Achieved case dismissal minutes after a plaintiff’s deposition by uncovering fraud.

• Assisted in a high-exposure trial for a public entity in an employee misconduct case, achieving a favorable verdict ($45 million demand → $1.135 million verdict).

• Negotiated favorable settlements and dismissals through strategic timing and precise motion practice.

• Experienced in Motions to Compel Arbitration, Motions to Strike, Demurrers, and other dispositive motions.

Education

• J.D., University of California, Davis School of Law (2017)
  Revived and served as President of the King Hall Labor & Employment Law Association (2 years)
  Editor, Law Review
  Judicial Extern for Justice Louis Mauro, California Third District Court of Appeal — drafted published opinions, including People v. Steele (2016) 201 Cal.Rptr.3d 363

• B.A., Politics, Saint Mary’s College of California (2014) — summa cum laude

Publications

• Can an Investigation Report Land You in Court?

• Navigating Employee Leave Laws: 5 Critical Reminders for California Employers

• Employers Must Carefully Define the Scope, Duration, and Mutuality of Arbitration Agreements

• DLSE Updates FAQs on California Paid Sick Leave Expansion

Community Involvement

Sarah serves as the elected Chair of the Board of Directors for Wellspring Women’s Center, a Sacramento nonprofit serving women and children — a cause she has supported since middle school.

She also serves on the Executive Committee of the American Inns of Court, Schwartz-Levi Chapter, an organization of lawyers, judges, and legal professionals dedicated to promoting professionalism, ethics, and civility.