Sara K. Harris
Experience
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Animal and Veterinary Health
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Healthcare Entity Formation & Representation
- Healthcare Licensure, Certification, & Accreditation
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Physicians & Professional Organizations
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Telemedicine
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training
“Sara, thanks for putting the hammer down for SPM when we needed it. Much appreciated!”
— Suzanne Miller, President and Founder, SPM Communications
Biography
Sara advises clients on a wide variety regulatory compliance matters, focusing in particular on employment matters that arise in the healthcare industry. Sara also regularly defends companies in discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuits, government investigations, and healthcare litigation. In her advisory role, Sara counsels clients on employee policies, covenants not to compete, collective bargaining issues, and other matters affecting the employer-employee relationship.
Sara’s healthcare practice focuses on healthcare regulatory issues, with an emphasis on digital health, including telemedicine and telehealth, as well as practitioner licensing and scope of practice matters. Clients seek her advice on cross-border entity and licensing compliance, state and federal telemedicine and prescribing laws, patient consent, corporate practice, and physician non-compete buyouts.
Sara also frequently represents physicians, nurses, and other healthcare licensees before their respective healthcare licensing boards.
Sara’s clients benefit from her multi-disciplinary experience as an employment lawyer, litigator, and healthcare attorney, and they appreciate her ability to generate pragmatic but creative solutions to problems. Her clients include hospital systems, healthcare companies, tech start-ups, physicians and other healthcare providers, financial institutions, and insurance companies.
Additional Languages
Spanish
Education
B.A., summa cum laude, New York University
- Phi Beta Kappa
J.D., with honors, University of Texas School of Law
- Order of the Coif
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Districts of Texas
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2025-2026
- Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2025-2026
- Health Care Law, 2026
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), Labor and Employment Law – Management, 2022-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022
Professional
- American Health Lawyer Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Employment Law Section
- Health Law Section
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court
- Associate, 2016 – 2017
Community Involvement
- The American Lawyer
- Young Lawyer Editorial Board Member, 2017 – Present
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
- Board Member, 2020 – Present
- Secretary, 2021 – Present
Sara Harris Presents on “2026 ELA Year in Review: US Employment Law” Webinar
Jackson Walker partner Sara K. Harris participated in a panel discussion for Employment Law Alliance addressing the evolving US employment law landscape in response to the current administration’s heightened enforcement. The session covered methods for employers to protect themselves against regulatory challenges while remaining compliant and competitive in business.
Speaking Engagements • January 29, 2026
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 2022 Texas Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 51 attorneys to Thomson Reuters’ 2022 “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars” list, which recognizes only 2.5% of Texas attorneys who either are 40 years of age or younger or have been in practice for 10 years or less.
Attorney News • March 22, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for Occupational Exposure to COVID-19
By Sara Harris
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 workplace safety rules have been long in the making. On June 10, 2021, OSHA finally issued those rules in the form of an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Coming as a surprise to many who were expecting broad rules that would apply to all workplaces, the ETS instead covers only workers in the healthcare industry.
Insights • June 11, 2021
The CDC Issues Revised Guidelines—Is It Time to Go to “No Mask Required”?
By Gary Fowler, Sara Harris, & Brooke Willard
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced revised guidance for persons who have been fully vaccinated. The CDC stated directly, “If you are fully vaccinated, you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.” However, employers and employees feeling the urge to discard masks and social distancing rules should take a moment before rushing to do so.
Insights • May 14, 2021
Can Employers Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?
Fast Takes Podcast | ~12 minutes
As the rollout of the two current FDA-approved vaccines for COVID-19 takes place, many employers may be looking toward reopening offices for vaccinated employees. Can an employer require employees to be vaccinated as a requirement to return to the office? Jackson Walker attorneys Sarah Mitchell Montgomery and Sara Harris discuss this issue.
Podcasts • January 13, 2021
HHS Takes Major Step to Expand COVID-19-Related Cross-Border Telehealth Access and Immunity
On December 3, 2020, the federal government took a significant step to reduce barriers to healthcare practitioners’ ability to provide COVID-19-related telehealth services across state lines by amending its previous declaration under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act).
Insights • December 15, 2020
United States Supreme Court Holds That Firing an Employee for Being Gay or Transgender Violates Title VII
Prior to the opinion, at least two Courts of Appeals had held that Title VII prohibited such discrimination, while the Eleventh Circuit recently held that discrimination based on sexual orientation was not prohibited by Title VII.
Insights • June 17, 2020
Employment Litigation & Administrative Agency Defense
Sara has experience defending companies and executives in employment-related disputes involving:
- Harassment & Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Healthcare whistleblower claims
- Compensation/stock option disputes
- Breach of employment contract/wrongful termination
- Labor union grievance arbitration
Sara also defends employers and healthcare practitioners before administrative agencies, including in licensure and disciplinary matters before the state medical and nursing boards, the EEOC, the DOL, and the NLRB.
Healthcare & Employment Counseling
Sara advises employers on day-to-day employment matters. For example, Sara helps employers draft and update employment contracts, policies, handbooks, and non-compete agreements, all with an eye towards avoiding future litigation.
Sara also advises healthcare providers including start-up companies, physicians, pharmacies, surgery centers, hospitals, and other practitioners regarding regulatory compliance and practice issues. Her experience includes:
- Telemedicine and digital health
- Laboratory compliance/CLIA
- Stark/Anti-Kickback, FCA matters
- Physician employment and licensure
- Mid-Level licensing and scope of practice
- Corporate Practice of Medicine
Business Litigation
Sara’s business litigation experience includes matters such as defamation lawsuits, class actions involving alleged underpayment of policy benefits by insurers, and prosecuting trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference claims.
Articles
- “The New Abnormal: How Firms and Lawyers Can Adapt to the Pandemic-Altered Present,” The American Lawyer (September 2020)
- “As Clients Demand More Than Ever, How Can Lawyers and Firms Respond?,” The American Lawyer (January 2020)
- “Cutting-Edge Practice Areas Are a Worthy Challenge for Young Lawyers,” The American Lawyer (October 2019)
- “Law Firms Benefit by Showing Attorneys That Family Matters,” The American Lawyer (August 2018)
Media
- “Can Employers Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (January 2021)
- “Text, Context, and SCOTUS’ Textualism in Bostock,” The Geek in Review Podcast Ep. 79 (June 2020)
- “The Innovative Concept of Legal Writing in Plain English,” The Geek in Review Podcast Ep. 68 (February 2020)
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2025-2026
- Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2025-2026
- Health Care Law, 2026
- Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (Woodward/White Inc.), Labor and Employment Law – Management, 2022-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022
Community Involvement
Professional
- American Health Lawyer Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Employment Law Section
- Health Law Section
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Patrick E. Higginbotham American Inn of Court
- Associate, 2016 – 2017
Community Involvement
- The American Lawyer
- Young Lawyer Editorial Board Member, 2017 – Present
- National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
- Board Member, 2020 – Present
- Secretary, 2021 – Present
Areas of Focus
Employment Litigation & Administrative Agency Defense
Sara has experience defending companies and executives in employment-related disputes involving:
- Harassment & Discrimination
- Retaliation
- Healthcare whistleblower claims
- Compensation/stock option disputes
- Breach of employment contract/wrongful termination
- Labor union grievance arbitration
Sara also defends employers and healthcare practitioners before administrative agencies, including in licensure and disciplinary matters before the state medical and nursing boards, the EEOC, the DOL, and the NLRB.
Healthcare & Employment Counseling
Sara advises employers on day-to-day employment matters. For example, Sara helps employers draft and update employment contracts, policies, handbooks, and non-compete agreements, all with an eye towards avoiding future litigation.
Sara also advises healthcare providers including start-up companies, physicians, pharmacies, surgery centers, hospitals, and other practitioners regarding regulatory compliance and practice issues. Her experience includes:
- Telemedicine and digital health
- Laboratory compliance/CLIA
- Stark/Anti-Kickback, FCA matters
- Physician employment and licensure
- Mid-Level licensing and scope of practice
- Corporate Practice of Medicine
Business Litigation
Sara’s business litigation experience includes matters such as defamation lawsuits, class actions involving alleged underpayment of policy benefits by insurers, and prosecuting trade secret misappropriation, breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference claims.
Publications & Articles
Articles
- “The New Abnormal: How Firms and Lawyers Can Adapt to the Pandemic-Altered Present,” The American Lawyer (September 2020)
- “As Clients Demand More Than Ever, How Can Lawyers and Firms Respond?,” The American Lawyer (January 2020)
- “Cutting-Edge Practice Areas Are a Worthy Challenge for Young Lawyers,” The American Lawyer (October 2019)
- “Law Firms Benefit by Showing Attorneys That Family Matters,” The American Lawyer (August 2018)
Media
- “Can Employers Require COVID-19 Vaccinations?” Jackson Walker Fast Takes Podcast (January 2021)
- “Text, Context, and SCOTUS’ Textualism in Bostock,” The Geek in Review Podcast Ep. 79 (June 2020)
- “The Innovative Concept of Legal Writing in Plain English,” The Geek in Review Podcast Ep. 68 (February 2020)
Experience
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Animal and Veterinary Health
- Discrimination & Harassment Claims
- Employee Whistleblower & Retaliation Claims
- Employment & Governmental Investigations
- Employment Policies, Procedures, & Handbooks
- Employment Practice Audits
- Healthcare Entity Formation & Representation
- Healthcare Licensure, Certification, & Accreditation
- Healthcare Regulatory Compliance
- Hiring, Performance Management, & Termination
- Labor & Employment Appellate
- Labor & Employment Litigation
- Labor Management & Traditional Labor Relations
- Non-Compete Issues
- Physicians & Professional Organizations
- Staffing, Independent Contractors, & Contingent Workers
- Telemedicine
- Trade Secrets
- Unfair Competition & Trade Secrets
- Workplace Ethics, Compliance, & Investigations
- Workplace Safety & Health
- Workplace Training