Sarah Riley Howard
Sarah Howard likes to make things right. Whether that’s righting wrongs in the workplace or holding government accountable to people. She has a strong sense of justice, a mediator’s knack for helping parties resolve differences, and an experienced litigator’s ability to seek justice in court, when necessary. While her practice is squarely focused on the rights of workers, it’s informed by early years in corporate law that bring valuable insight into all sides of workplace disputes. She’s a strong advocate for diversity, progressive public policy, and civil liberties. She’s active in the legal community. And she’s an all-around good egg—championing others’ causes, being a strong shoulder in difficult times, and lending her quick wit when laughter’s the best medicine. She and her husband Kevin have two, active young daughters and like to spend their downtime with family and friends on the lakeshore.
Expertise
- Workplace discrimination and wrongful termination
- Severance package review
- Physician contracting
- Civil rights
- Criminal defense
Education
- BA, Western Michigan University, 1998
- JD, University of Michigan Law School, 2001
Memberships
- Progressive Women’s Alliance-Lakeshore, board member (2011-present)
- Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance, board member (2016-2019)
- Federal Bar Association, Western District of Michigan, executive board (2009-2019), president elect (2013-2015), president (2015-2016)
- Lawyers Committee, ACLU of Western Michigan (2015-2018)
- Grand Rapids Bar Association, trustee (2012-2016), Young Lawyers Section, chair (2005-2006)
- State Bar of Michigan
Recognition
- Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan, Super Lawyers (2018, 2019)
- Best Lawyers in America (since 2013)
- Michigan Super Lawyers (2014-present)
- Michigan Super Lawyers Rising Star (2010-2013)
- U.S. District Court, Mediation Panel Member
- U.S. District Court, Special Master for damages
- U.S. District Court, Criminal Justice Act panel eligible for federal criminal defense appointments
Other experience
- Democratic candidate for State Senate, 30th District-Ottawa County (2014)
- Associate (2002-2008) and Partner (2009-2014), Warner Norcross & Judd, LLP
- Law clerk, Hon. Richard Alan Enslen, U.S. District Court (2001-2002)
Cases of note
- MONROE et al. v. SILVER STREET, INC., et al., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids.
- OMILIAN v. BEDFORD, HERBERT and VILLAGE OF MATTAWAN, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- NEWMAN v. GOURMET INTERNATIONAL, LTD. et al., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- DAY v. SPECTRUM HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- OARD v. MUSKEGON COUNTY and MUSKEGON CIRCUIT COURT, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- WYCOFF v. GORDON FOOD SERVICE, INC., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- FRANCE v. CHIPPEWA COUNTY et al., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- MIKOLOWSKI v. 91ST DISTRICT COURT et al., U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- ALLARD & GRAHAM v. MICHIGAN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
- UNITED STATES v. J. PINA, U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids
Katherine Smith Kennedy
Sarah Riley Howard
Erin Dornbos
Crystal J. Bultje
H. Rhett Pinsky
Michael L. Fayette
Pamela K. Bratt, of Counsel
Erika Dech, Legal Assistant
Kristal Boyd, Legal Assistant
Edward M. ("Ned") Smith, in Memoriam
News
WHO’S WHO IN AMERICAN LAW • BEST LAWYERS OF AMERICA • LAWYERS OF THE YEAR
TOP 100 MICHIGAN SUPER LAWYERS • AV PREEMINENT—MARTINDALE HUBBELL’S TOP RATING
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan • Rising Stars
TOP 100 MICHIGAN SUPER LAWYERS • AV PREEMINENT—MARTINDALE HUBBELL’S TOP RATING
Top 50 Women Lawyers in Michigan • Rising Stars