Sarah R. Monkton

Sarah Monkton’s practice is concentrated in federal Indian law, employment, and general/special counsel services. She provides a range of services to clients, including tribes, employers, businesses, nonprofits, and other private and public entities, to aid in the resolution of a range of civil disputes and governance concerns. Sarah also offers investigations and trainings to assist employers and other entities in managing risk and responding to complaints.

Sarah has experience as a public attorney working on civil prosecutions of financial exploitation cases, and as the supervising attorney for a state investigations team. She also has broad experience in private practice, with a background ranging from litigation to contracts and compliance. In addition to her admissions in the Oregon and Alaska state bar associations, Sarah is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Sarah received a certificate in mediation through Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation in 2014, and has significant experience as a mediator and as an attorney representing both public and private clients in mediated settlements.

Regardless of the subject matter, Sarah draws from her substantial experience in negotiation and conflict resolution to achieve creative, interest-based outcomes for her clients. Throughout her career, Sarah has committed many volunteer hours to pro bono legal representation and service on nonprofit boards.

Native American Law
Sarah began her career in the field of Indian Child Welfare, representing tribes across Alaska as a non-attorney advocate in foster care proceedings. She subsequently served as Executive Director of a tribal child advocacy center, providing ICWA training to state and tribal social workers, advancing state ICWA policy through participation in state and tribal collaboration efforts.

She currently advises tribes and tribal organizations on a variety of matters, including sovereignty and the trust relationship, litigation, contracts, inter-governmental partnerships, and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

Employment
Sarah provides advice and representation to employers on a range of topics, including discrimination complaints, accommodation requests, disciplinary matters, misconduct claims, and policy development and compliance. She also provides investigation services and representation before administrative bodies, and provides respectful workplace and anti-harassment trainings within complex work environments.

Investigations
Sarah previously served as the Chief of Enforcement/Deputy Director of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights, where her work included overseeing the team of investigators responsible for responding to discrimination complaints. Today, she provides comprehensive investigation services to a range of clients in highly sensitive matters, including allegations of discrimination, misconduct, and other violations of law or policy. Sarah is adept at establishing rapport with witnesses, identifying and analyzing evidence, and compiling findings into a thorough, clear, and reliable report. She provides tailored recommendations that are informed by her investigative work to assist clients with risk management, and provides representation in administrative hearings.  

General/Special Counsel
Sarah provides general and special counsel services to tribal clients as well as public and private entities, advising with respect to policy development and compliance, executive leadership, contracting, and other matters of importance. Sarah’s advice emphasizes good governance and risk management to enable her clients to focus on their key objectives and achieve their operational goals.