Sara Elizabeth Furlow

Shortly after graduating law school, I returned home and started volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and neglected children in Montgomery County, Maryland. My volunteer experience prompted my desire to become a full-time advocate at Maryland Legal Aid (MLA), where I represented children in foster care for nearly 5 years. As a child in need of assistance (CINA) attorney, my advocacy extended beyond the courtroom as I frequently participated in Individual Education Program (IEP) team meetings and other collaborative meetings to ensure the needs of my child clients were met. During my time at MLA, I submitted appeallate briefts to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and participated in oral arguments, acheiving favorable outcomes for my clients. Additionally, I filed Individuals with Disabilites Education Act (IDEA) complaints with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) to gain compensatory services for clients who were denied a free appropriate public education (FAPE). After the rewarding experience of advocating for children the last 8 years, I have joined private practice to utilize my advocacy and litigation skills to assist federal employees.