Sara Madavo focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation and has represented large companies, small businesses, and individual clients across a wide range of industries through all phases of litigation. Sara is a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice; Labor & Employment Practice; the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Team; and Health Care Sector. Sara is chair of the firm’s Black Attorneys Affinity Group and National Recruiting Committee.
Representative Experience
- Obtained trial victory for a Fortune 200 company in contract arbitration against former distributor.
- Obtained a jury trial victory in a professional negligence and breach of contract action in New York State Supreme Court, Westchester County.
- Represented companies in disputes with former employees, including CEOs and other executives.
- Represented employers before the State of New York Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board.
- Successfully negotiated favorable settlements of a broad range of claims against a global provider of risk management and insurance brokerage.
- Represented large national health insurance companies in lawsuits brought by out-of-network medical providers alleging ERISA violations.
Awards and Recognition
- Selected for inclusion in the New York Super Lawyers – Rising Stars® list (2014–2021)
Community Involvement
- Sara devotes a considerable amount of time to various pro bono efforts. She has represented several individuals in affirmative asylum applications and also serves on the board of Pharos Academy Charter School.
- From 2004–2007, Sara was a teacher in Atlanta Public Schools through Teach for America.
NYC Updates Earned Safe and Sick Time Rules
After public comments and hearing, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection has adopted amendments to the rules implementing the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA), which was established by Chapter 8 of Title 20 of the New York City Administrative Code.
/Passle/6719612c5e4bbe2174a65d17/MediaLibrary/Images/2025-05-19-18-49-46-893-682b7d4a9523b9643daf2015.jpg)
New York Legislature Amends Pay Frequency Law to Limit Damages for First-Time Offenders
The New York State Legislature has amended New York Labor Law (“the Law”) to reduce statutory damages for first-time violations of pay...
2024 Labor & Employment Road Show Series
After the success of last year's Labor & Employment Summit, Foley & Lardner is happy to reveal that this year's Summit will be taking the show on the road!
Amendments to New York’s NDA Law
New York governor Kathleen Hochul recently signed into law S4516, which amended General Obligations Law Section 5-336.
Foley Attorneys Named to 2021 New York Metro Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Lists
Foley & Lardner LLP is pleased to announce that six of its attorneys have been named to the 2021 New York Metro Super Lawyers list – a distinction limited to just 5 percent of the area’s lawyers.
Podcast Episode 36: Sara Madavo, Partner
This episode of The Path & The Practice features a conversation with Sara Madavo. Sara is a litigation partner in Foley’s New York office. Sara reflects on growing-up in Potomac, Maryland, attending Emory University and Harvard Law School.