Sara Mogharabi has extensive environmental regulatory and litigation experience, with a focus on matters relating to project development, contamination and hazardous wastes, and product stewardship.

Sara has represented clients in the mining, waste, recycling, and energy sectors.  She has advised clients on regulatory compliance matters under a broad array of federal environment statutes, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; the Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act; the Endangered Species Act; the Safe Drinking Water Act; and the National Environmental Policy Act.  Sara also has expertise in compliance counseling under specific state statutes, such as California’s Proposition 65 and state-level product stewardship laws.  As part of her regulatory practice, she has represented clients before federal and state agencies.

Sara’s litigation experience includes conducting document reviews, managing expert witnesses, taking and defending depositions, working with joint defense groups, drafting motions and briefs, and preparing cases for arbitration and jury trials.  She has represented clients with matters in federal and state courts as well as before agency tribunals.  She has performed internal investigations and assisted in settlement negotiations on behalf of clients.

In addition to her environmental regulatory and litigation expertise, Sara has transactional environmental experience performing due diligence reviews and marking up agreements.  She has also assisted companies undergoing corporate mergers and re-brandings with permit transfers and name changes.  When her workload permits, Sara represents pro bono clients in immigration court.

Prior to joining the Firm, Sara worked as an associate at an environmental boutique and as a senior associate at a large, global law firm.  During law school, she served as a law clerk at the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Civil Enforcement, at the Department of Justice in the Appellate Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and for the Environmental Defense Fund's Climate and Air Program.

Representative Experience

• Advised global manufacturing client on response to spill of hazardous materials, coordinated an internal investigation and regulatory compliance audit at the company’s facility, and represented the client in settlement negotiations with the state
• Counseled a battery recycler on its response to an EPA compliance inspection and notice of violation
• Represented a global manufacturer on liability and cost allocation for PCB contamination of a waterway, helping secure a jury verdict of zero liability in federal court
• Defended an energy client against multiple lawsuits alleging breach of contract of the company’s mineral leases
• Globally advised clients on compliance with California’s Proposition 65
• Counseled oil and gas companies on Endangered Species Act compliance, including the development of unique take-avoidance protocols and general conservation plans
• Provided National Environmental Policy Act counseling, including advising infrastructure clients on environmental and related reviews for their projects
• Provided guidance to electronic and pharmaceutical clients on compliance with state and local product regulatory laws
• Argued for cancellation of a removal order for a pro bono client in immigration court, securing client’s release from detention the day of the evidentiary hearing

Professional and Civic Activities / Awards

• Co-Chair, Energy and Environmental Law Affinity Group, National Association of Women Lawyers (2018–Present)
• Participant, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Women of Influence and Impact Leadership Program (2018–2019)
• Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing, The George Washington University Law School (2014–2015)
• Member of Environment, Energy, and Resources Section, American Bar Association (2012–Present)
• Recipient, Philip Roland Prize for Excellence in Public Affairs, Claremont McKenna College (2006)