Sarah Hirschfeld-Sussman - Associate

Sarah is an Associate in CMPR’s Litigation and Employment practice groups. She represents businesses and individuals in a broad range of civil litigation matters. Sarah guides clients through all stages of litigation, from initial case evaluation and discovery through mediation, settlement negotiations, and trial.

In addition to her litigation practice, Sarah advises employers on a wide range of workplace matters, including wage and hour compliance, discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodations, leaves of absence, employee discipline, and termination. She works closely with clients to assess legal risks, navigate difficult personnel decisions, and develop practical solutions that account for both legal obligations and business considerations. She also assists employers with drafting workplace policies, employee handbooks, employment agreements, and severance agreements.

Sarah began her legal career representing schools and public entities in labor and employment matters. Her experience includes collective bargaining negotiations, grievance resolution and arbitration, unfair labor practice proceedings before the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) and advising public agencies on personnel matters and regulatory compliance. Since transitioning to private-sector representation in 2020, she has expanded her practice to include business and commercial litigation while continuing to advise and represent employers in employment matters.

Sarah regularly provides workshops and trainings on employment law developments and workplace compliance, including preventing harassment and discrimination and complying with wage and hour laws.

A Sonoma County native, Sarah earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University and her law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. After spending time on the East Coast and in the Midwest, she returned home to Sonoma County, where she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.