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Sara McDonough

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Recognized by Super Lawyers as a Top Rated Employment Litigation Attorney in Washington, DC
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Our Team
About Sara
Credentials Credentials Arrow
Bar and Court Admissions
District of Columbia
Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education
University of Richmond Law School, Richmond, VA – J.D.
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA – B.B.A., B.A.

Clients describe Sara McDonough as “extremely helpful and responsive” and an “excellent and succinct writer.”

Sara (she/her) is known for her compelling written arguments and collected demeanor.  She is calm under pressure and won’t be intimidated by the bullying tactics of her opponents.  Above all, she is fiercely loyal to her clients and committed to protecting their interests.  Sara believes that a strong client-attorney relationship is based on trust and honesty.  Her goal is to provide candid and objective legal advice so that her clients can make informed decisions.

Sara represents federal government clients in disciplinary proceedings and in cases before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).  She is equally at home representing clients in state and federal court litigation.  She has obtained favorable settlements and outcomes in matters involving a wide variety of employment issues, including discrimination, sexual harassment, reprisal, whistleblowing, due process, and wage and hour violations.  Sara has represented clients in several notable cases, including one that resulted in a substantial jury verdict.  The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit affirmed the judgment and $555,000 award in favor of our client.

As a student at the University of Richmond Law School, Sara’s studies focused on employment law and employment discrimination law.  She had an externship at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and interned with the Disability Law Center of Virginia (formerly Virginia Office for Protection and Advocacy), an organization that advocates and provides legal services for persons with disabilities.

Prior to law school, Sara worked as a consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton.  She helped develop and implement communications strategies and products for several large federal government clients, including the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and TRICARE, a U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System program.

Published Works

“INSIGHT: LGBT Rights in the Federal Workplace – Mixed Messages on Discrimination,” Bloomberg Law (March 5, 2019). 

“The Pregnancy Discrimination Act and Requests for Light Duty, Leave, and Related Accommodations,” The American Bar Association (August 31, 2017).

Quote Mark
Alan Lescht & Associates represented me regarding a security clearance. Sara McDonough handled my case and was extremely helpful and responsive throughout a lengthy process. She went above and beyond.
Michael D.     
Client
Washington DC Vietnam wall with names and American Flag with Washington Monument in background
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Quote Mark
When my security clearance was on the line, Alan Lescht and Associates came through. Sara provided the perfect combination of expert legal representation and genuine personal concern. Her response supported my case and saved my career.
Lucas M.     
Client
Quote Mark
I came to Alan Lescht and Associates based on a referral from a DC Defense Employment Law Partner who sits at the opposite side of the table quite frequently. I was told, "If I were a DC resident and I wanted to take up an action against my employer, I would go with any of the attorneys at Alan Lescht and Associates." That is how I met Alan Lescht and Sara McDonough. Alan and Sara were there with me every step of the way. They answered every single call and responded to every single email. I never felt in the dark. Though they have hundreds of clients, I always felt special and important. Each decision made was strategic and as a team. Complete transparency. We weighed in every factor, angle, their past experience, and my knowledge of the company. Their knowledge of the law, the different arbitrators, and experience was invaluable. I received an outcome that I was very satisfied with. I absolutely would recommend this law firm a thousand times over.
Amy     
Client

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