Overview

Sarah N. O’Keefe has extensive experience defending employers in all aspects of litigation, and has completed multiple trials. She defends employers against claims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, whistleblowing, misclassification, wrongful termination, breach of contract, defamation, and negligent hiring, training, supervision, and retention. She also counsels and trains employers in best practices, compliance, and personnel matters. 

In her practice, Sarah:

  • Represents employers and management in state and federal courts, for trials and appeals regarding various labor and employment issues, such as claims under the Arizona Civil Rights Act, Arizona Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act, Arizona Employment Protection Act, Family Medical Leave Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act  
  • Defends employers before administrative agencies, including state and federal agencies, such as the Arizona Civil Rights Division, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and National Labor Relations Board
  • Conducts internal and external investigations to assess risk and minimize liability
  • Provides advice and counsel on numerous areas of law, including policies and procedures, hiring, performance management and termination, pre-employment screening, background checks, drug and alcohol testing, probable cause testing, covenants not to compete, non-solicitation agreements, employment agreements, investigations, federal and state wage and hour issues, reductions in force, leaves and accommodations, paid sick time laws and regulations, ban-the-box, privacy, litigation avoidance, and risk management.
  • Drafts handbooks, employment contracts, policies and procedures, and severance agreements
  • Counsels management regarding human resources issues, including hiring, policies and procedures, training, disciplinary matters, leaves, and terminations
  • Strategizes layoffs, restructuring, and acquisitions
  • Drafts and enforces restrictive covenants, including noncompete, nonsolicit, and confidentiality agreements
  • Advises employers on grievances and labor relations
  • Conducts and facilitates training to managers and supervisors regarding human resources best practices, diversity and inclusion, investigation best practices, anti-discrimination, -harassment and -retaliation

Before joining Littler, Sarah clerked for the Hon. Patricia K. Norris at the Arizona Court of Appeals and worked in private practice.

Professional & Community Affiliations

Member

State Bar of Arizona

Member

Maricopa County Bar

Member

Federal Bar Association

Member

Arizona Women Lawyers Association

Member

Arizona Women's Leadership Forum

TGen Ambassador

Translational Genomics Research Institute

2018-2019

Member

Underdog of Arizona

Recognition

Named, Ones to Watch

The Best Lawyers in America®

2021-2023

Named, Rising Star

Arizona

Super Lawyers

2018-2021

Named, Willard H. Pedrick Scholar

Arizona State University College of Law

News, Analysis & Press

Are you unintentionally discriminating against pregnant employees?

In Business Magazine

December 2018

Score a Home Run for Your Women-Owned Small Business

AZ Business Magazine

July/August 2018

Federal Arbitration Act - The Pros and Cons of The Supreme Court's 2018 Decision

AZ Big Media (online)

July 2018

8 Steps to Avoid a Pregnancy Discrimination Lawsuit

AZ Big Media (online)

May 2018

Non-Compete Agreements – Enforceable or Not?

AZ Big Media (online)

March 2018

3 Ways to Prevent a Weinstein Scandal

AZ Business Magazine

November 2017

What’s an Attorney-Client Relationship?

Attorney at Law Magazine

November 2017

How to Prevent a FMLA Interference Claim in Employee Termination

AZ Business Magazine (online)

October 2017

Joint Employment–Your Companies Might Not Be Separate in the Eyes of the Law

AZ Business Magazine (online)

October 2017

What’s an Attorney-Client Relationship?

AZ Business Magazine

March 2017

Speaking Engagements

Arizona Virtual Employer

October 20, 2020

Education

  • J.D., Arizona State University College of Law, 2012cum laude
  • B.S., Arizona State University, 2009summa cum laude

Bar Admission

Arizona

Courts

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
  • Arizona Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona