Sarah has been practicing family law in California for more than 30 years, specializing in the areas of mediation and collaborative practice.
Family Law Practice
Sarah’s professional focus has been exclusively in the area of family law throughout her career, and she has had extensive training and experience in both mediation and collaborative negotiation. Although she is well-versed in alternative dispute resolution techniques, she also brings substantial experience in litigation and successful trial outcomes. Sarah serves as Yolo County Superior Court Settlement Conference Officer, assisting litigants in settling disputes without the necessity of a trial.
Teaching
Sarah was on the clinical faculty at King Hall from 2004 to 2007, directing the Family Protection and Legal Assistance Clinic, in which law students under her direction represented low-income domestic violence clients in their restraining order hearings, custody matters, and divorces. She also taught Family Law as a substantive course.
Education
Sarah graduated cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor at UC Davis School of Law, King Hall, graduating first in her class. She earned the West Publishing Award for Academic Achievement, the American Jurisprudence Award in Property, and membership in the Order of the Coif. She was admitted to the California Bar in 1992 and is certified by the California State Bar as a Specialist in Family Law.
Certification
In 2012, Sarah became a Certified Family Law Specialist, which requires successful completion of multiple years of practice requirements, an additional one-day bar examination, and peer review. As a CFLS, Sarah stays fully informed on all areas of family law and attends extensive legal education in her practice specialty, in addition to the continuing education requirements for all members of the California Bar. She consults regularly with financial/tax specialists, child custody evaluators and counselors, and therapists working with families in transition.