Sara Bishop Email & Phone Number

Detroit, Michigan, United States

New York, New York

Served as lead legal counsel for senior executive management of Region II (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Supported regional leadership in meetings and relationships with FEMA headquarters and Federal, state, local, and tribal partners by providing legal counsel, policy guidance, and strategic consultation on a broad range of areas impacting FEMA’s operations. Routinely delivered such guidance and advice for multiple and complex issues under high-pressure and time-sensitive conditions, including during the preparation for and immediate response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Managed team of geographically-disbursed attorneys. Provided legal guidance, advice, and training to Region II leadership and clients concerning Federal disaster relief laws, regulations, policies, and executive orders, as well as Federal ethics, employment, privacy, information sharing (including FOIA), and procurement laws and regulations.

New York, New York

Assisted clients and external stakeholders, including the States of New York and New Jersey, the City of New York, local and tribal governments, private non-profit organizations, and voluntary organizations with understanding and applying relevant laws, regulations, policies, and guidance to aid in strategic and creative problem-solving and implementation of FEMA programs in order to make stakeholder-centric decisions that are effective and agreeable to all parties. Conducted legal research and prepared memoranda of law, memoranda of understanding, interagency agreements, and correspondence incorporating research and analyses of laws, regulations, and policies.

New York, New York

Developed and maintained relationships with FEMA stakeholders to effectively respond to inquiries and communicate information about, and explain issues concerning, Federal disaster relief recovery programs and the sharing of data and personally identifiable information protected by the Privacy Act.

Detroit, Michigan

Represented U.S. Customs and Border Protection in administrative litigation proceedings before the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and in arbitrations. Independently planned, organized, and managed all aspects of these cases. Prepared litigation reports and referrals to the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Justice in civil litigation involving U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Provided assistance to those offices in cases involving immigration and customs laws. Provided legal support and advice on all areas of law enforced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including customs, immigration, trade, and seizure and forfeiture laws, as well as laws involving employment, ethics, and FOIA requests for official records and information.

Detroit, Michigan

Handled civil litigation in range of areas, including insurance defense, commercial litigation, municipal law, and construction law. Managed all aspects of cases pending in state and Federal courts, including drafting pleadings, conducting factual investigations and legal research, preparing and arguing motions, preparing written discovery requests and responses, taking and defending depositions, and conducting settlement negotiations. Played key role in building successful structured settlement transfer practice.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Cum Laude (2005)

Activities: University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, Editor-in-Chief (2004-2005)

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Political Science And Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude (2000)

Honors: Phi Beta Kappa