Sara Rafferty represents commercial clients in complex civil litigation matters as well as in administrative and regulatory challenges involving the government. She has defended clients against the government in Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) investigations, Congressional investigations, sanctions investigations and disclosures, and False Claims Act (FCA) lawsuits.
Sara's litigation practice involves overseeing complex case discovery, developing case strategy, researching legal issues, and drafting briefs. She has defended corporate clients against claims brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) through a series of withdrawal liability arbitrations, initiating bid protests with the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and obtaining a $50 million arbitration award in a cross-border investment dispute.
In addition to investigations and litigation, Sara represents clients in challenging rulemakings before regulatory authorities. She has advised and crafted oral testimony and written submissions before the U.S. Trade Representative's Section 301 Committee and the Federal Communications Commission.
Prior to joining Jones Day, Sara served for four years as a staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she was a policy advisor on trade and national security issues. After leaving government service, she spent three years lobbying on behalf of corporations on national security issues while pursuing a law degree at Georgetown University.
Experience
- Georgetown University (J.D. cum laude 2017; Notes Editor, Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy; Executive Board, Barristers' Council; Global Teaching Fellow); Syracuse University (M.P.A. cum laude 2009; Louis A. Bantle Scholar Research Assistant; Certificate in Security Studies); The University of Oklahoma (B.A. magna cum laude 2008; Phi Beta Kappa; Letzeiser Honor List)
- Texas; District of Columbia; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- Legal Intern Program, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division (Summer 2015); served with the U.S. House of Representatives in the following positions: Legislative Assistant, Deputy Communications Director, Legislative Correspondent, and Staff Assistant (2010-2014)
- Law Clerk to Judge Jerome A. Holmes, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit (2020-2021)