DIRECT CONTACT 816.691.3361 e-mail | vCard
Sara has experience handling a wide variety of litigation matters for local and national clients. In addition to litigating a broad spectrum of commercial disputes, Sara has extensive experience in the area of employment litigation. She has defended employers against claims of discrimination and harassment based on race, sex, age, disability and religion, as well as claims of retaliation, wrongful discharge based on "whistleblowing," and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Sara's practice also includes the defense of employers in class and collective action litigation, particularly in cases asserting claims under Title VII and the Fair Labor Standards Act. In addition, Sara regularly counsels clients and litigates cases involving employment, confidentiality and non-compete agreements. She has served as lead counsel both in jury trials and in arbitration, and has defended appeals in the Kansas and Missouri Courts of Appeals and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Eighth and Tenth Circuits.
Prior to joining the firm, Sara served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable Howard F. Sachs, United States District Court for the Western District of the Missouri.
Enforced employees' mandatory arbitration agreements and successfully defended professional firm in arbitration of wrongful discharge/"whistleblowing" claims (Jackson County Circuit Court; AAA)
Obtained summary judgment for national bank, and successfuly defended judgment on appeal, in case involving claim of racially discriminatory discharge (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.; Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals).
Successfully defended worldwide hotel company, through trial and appeal, against claims of harassment based on race, sex, and age (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.; Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals).
Obtained summary judgment for national restaurant chain in case alleging race discrimination and harassment (U.S. District Court, W.D. Mo.)
Obtained summary judgment for corporate credit union against claims of race discrimination (U.S. District Court, D. Kan.)
Obtained summary judgment for computer software company against claims of violations of Michigan and Missouri sales commission statutes (U.S. District Court, E. D. Mich.)
Successfully defended credit services company, through summary judgment and appeal, against claims of wrongful discharge based on employee's "whistleblowing" (District Court of Johnson County, Kansas; Kansas Court of Appeals).