About Sara

I’m a seasoned attorney specializing in Health Law and Policy, driven by my commitment to enhance healthcare access and quality. With over a decade of experience, my background as a medical social worker enriches my legal advocacy.

At seventeen years old, a car accident after graduating from high school, and starting college in just a few weeks, left me using a wheelchair, I embraced life with resilience and humor.

Outside of work, I love outdoor adventures, spending time with my family, and enjoying music and films.

I strive to balance my professional ambitions with personal growth, fostering meaningful connections while navigating the complexities of law and the beauty of life’s experiences.

Get to Know Sara

Legal Career

I am a dedicated attorney with over a decade of experience in Health Law and Policy. I am passionate about reshaping the healthcare landscape, focusing on improving access, delivery, and the quality of care through the intricacies of policy development and rulemaking. Before entering the legal field, I worked as a medical social worker, which continues to inform my empathetic approach to legal advocacy.

In my role as an attorney, I focus on healthcare policy, navigating the complexities of regulation, provider licensure, and improving care quality. My legal insight, problem-solving skills, and creativity allow me to tackle complex regulatory issues with precision. Known for my quick wit and decisiveness, I am a go-to person for colleagues and clients seeking innovative solutions, law and life related. I value listening, gathering puzzle pieces, to provide effective solutions. This requires working and understanding the macro, mezzo and micro areas in healthcare, each of them interdependent with each other.

Sara’s Legal Skills and Services

Attorney Practicing Health Law and Policy

Sara’s Career spans 13 years as a licensed attorney and over 2 years as an intern with California Department of Health Care Services.

Skillsets that she carries from these years include:

Legal Advocate 

Sara is a Legal advocate and activist (as she says, by default). Sara has been a defendant in several notable cases such as Granda v LSAC, Granda v State Bar of California, and Granda v DHCS #1 and #2 Granda v. DHCS. Sara’s familiarity with the court system stems from these and other cases related to accommodations, so she may continue to thrive, living and working in her community.

Nonprofit & Community Engagement 

Sara is involved with nonprofit organizations advocating for disability rights.

Public Speaking 

Sara has been a speaker at several in-persona and online events in the United States and Internationally.

  • Government Relations & Policy Advising

  • Medi-Cal Rates & Financing

  • ACA Program Integrity Implementation & Leadership:

  • Attorney Lead

  • Collaboration with Attorney General’s Office

  • Audits & Investigations Oversight

  • Privacy & Regulatory Compliance

  • Legislative Drafting

  • The Rulemaking Process

  • Stakeholder Advocacy

  • Broad Clinical & Industry Knowledge

  • Leadership in Cross-Functional Policy Working Groups

  • Complex Legal Analysis

  • Litigation and Regulatory Compliance

  • Direct Engagement with Key Laws

  • High-Stakes Contract and Insurance Management

Legal Advice

Sara offers legal advice on a freelance, contract basis. Advice areas include. Health Law, Reproductive Rights, Medicaid Financing, Healthcare Delivery Systems, Disability Law (ADA, Section 504), Provider Screening, Suspension of Professional Licenses and Reinstatement, and more.

Mentorship 

Sara’s offers mentoring to young professionals, and law students. Particularly those with disabilities or with similar characteristics Sara has

More than an Attorney

Personal Journey

My life took an unexpected turn just after high school when a rollover car accident resulted in my using a wheelchair. Despite this challenge, I have embraced my new life with resilience and humor, viewing my injury as part of a rich, adventurous journey that has shaped me both personally and professionally.

Personal Life, Hobbies, and Interests

Family and friends are central to my life. I am particularly close to my siblings, whom I describe as the coolest people you'll ever meet. Recently, my family welcomed an adorable addition—my two-year-old nephew, who I proudly point out is both a savant and incredibly cute.

When I’m not drafting healthcare policies or exploring the wilderness, I enjoy independent films, documentaries, and live music. Growing up in the 90s shaped my musical preferences, but my background in playing an instrument has allowed me to appreciate a wide range of genres. Over the years, I've transitioned from camping trips to attending music festivals, particularly in the Bay Area, where I love soaking in the vibrant energy of live performances.

I have a lifelong love for the outdoors and adaptive sports. Whether skiing, kayaking, or exploring new trails in National Parks, I’m always up for an adventure. My passion for outdoor exploration was inspired by a past long-term relationship with an emergency physician who introduced me to hiking and climbing in incredible locations such as the Sierra, Nevada Mountains, Utah’s diverse terrains, revisiting Yosemite again, and connecting these and more adventures in a professional and personal capacity, leading me to join the Wilderness Medical Society. This zest for adventure complements my analytical mind, maintaining a life filled with inquisitiveness and curiosity, honed from coming from a family of engineers, which I apply in day to day life and my legal practice. I have been supported pre and post injury by my family, instilling the notion that I am capable of doing anything in life, that it is just a matter of figuring it out.

Values and Life Philosophy

There are a few things I can’t live without: good coffee, craft beer (which I enjoy for both flavor and ritual), my close-knit family, my savant nephew, and lifelong friends. I thrive on meaningfully engaging in intellectual conversations and experiences that challenge me to grow and have me question my role and contributions I can choose to make in my life. I’m also learning the importance of self-kindness, talking to myself kindly and embracing the idea of letting go of perfectionism. While I would never self identify as a perfectionist, I’ve been told I am a high functioning high achiever. I feel it is all relative in those regards. I have lived a life without the luxury of living anything but an honest, open, vulnerable life with the words “Can’t,” “Give up,” or “Overwhelmed” not in my vocabulary. I’m finding balance between professional success and personal fulfillment, guided by humor and grace. At the end of the day, I strive to like the person I see in the mirror.

Whether I’m crafting legal arguments, navigating new trails, or sharing thoughtful conversations, I approach life with sincerity, humility, curiosity, a sprinkle of healthy cynicism and a deep appreciation for the people and experiences that make it meaningful. And if you ever meet my two-year-old nephew, you’ll instantly agree—he’s both a savant and absolutely adorable.