Sarah M. Sawyer

Principal, Department Chair

Publications & News

  • Biography
  • Publications & News
  • Blog Posts
  • Featured Works
  • Sawyer the Lawyer
  • OK at Work

Firm Highlights

  • Events
    Navigating D.C.'s Changing Housing Landscape - Utility Billing, Pets in Housing and Year-End Legislative Updates
    Navigating D.C.'s Changing Housing Landscape - Utility Billing, Pets in Housing and Year-End Legislative Updates
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Expands Los Angeles Presence with Second Office
    Offit Kurman Expands Los Angeles Presence with Second Office
  • Publications & News
    Ian Bartman Appointed to Frederick Health Board of Directors
    Ian Bartman Appointed to Frederick Health Board of Directors
  • Events
    AIA Tri-State Conference
    Princeton will serve as the backdrop for three days of connection, learning, and design leadership. From keynotes to tours to the Tri-State Design Awards, this year’s conference is designed to go far beyond education sessions. Kick off the week with pre-conference intensives and individual state component Design Award celebrations, followed by three days of education, inspiration, networking, and design excellence at the 2026 AIA Tri-State Conference—featuring pre-conference intensives, three keynote speakers, 25 education sessions, curated tours, an expo, spec academies, and the AIA Tri-State Design Awards—bringing together architects and design professionals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania to connect, learn, and celebrate the best of the profession. G2. Designing Secure Practices: Cybersecurity, Data Privacy, Contractual Provisions, and Insurance Risks for Architects (4:00 PM - 5:30 PM) Architects and design professionals increasingly rely on cloud platforms, BIM software, and digital tools to manage sensitive data, creating cybersecurity and privacy risks. A single incident can trigger liability claims, regulatory obligations, reputational harm, and insurance challenges. Yet many firms underestimate how contracts, insurance, and internal practices intersect during a breach. This program offers legal and insurance perspectives on cyber risk in architecture, examining liability exposure, risky contract provisions, and mitigation strategies. A cyber insurance expert will explain policy responses, coverage gaps, coordination with professional liability, and best practices for aligning insurance with contractual risk and protecting firms from evolving cyber threats. Learning Objectives: Identify key cybersecurity and data privacy risks faced by architecture firms and explain how these risks can impact professional liability and project outcomes. Analyze common contractual provisions to determine which clauses may increase exposure to cyber incidents and propose strategies to mitigate these risks. Evaluate the scope and limitations of cyber insurance policies, including coordination with professional liability coverage, to determine how a policy would respond in a breach scenario. Develop actionable risk management strategies by integrating legal, contractual, and insurance considerations to protect sensitive client and project data.
  • Blog Posts
    You Received an NJDEP AONOCAPA. What next?
    You Received an NJDEP AONOCAPA. What next?
  • Publications & News
    Caroline Callahan to Receive Oligo Nation Inspiration Honor Award
    Caroline Callahan to Receive Oligo Nation Inspiration Honor Award
  • Blog Posts
    Longclaw Loses Its Edge: Court Dismisses Game of Thrones Sword Copyright Claim
    Longclaw Loses Its Edge: Court Dismisses Game of Thrones Sword Copyright Claim
  • Publications & News
    Offit Kurman Attorneys Recognized in 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists
    Offit Kurman Attorneys Recognized in 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars Lists
  • Blog Posts
    Virginia’s 2026 Eviction Diversion Program: What Landlords Need to Know
    Welcome back to Offit Kurman’s 2026 Legislative Update Series. Sidney Washington discusses important changes to Virginia’s Eviction Diversion Program, including updated eligibility requirements, court notification procedures, and a revised payment plan structure. This installment explains how the new law affects housing providers, from the requirement to include program information with unlawful detainer summonses to the updated initial payment of 10% of the amount due, followed by three monthly installments. Learn what landlords and property managers need to know about court participation, tenant eligibility, accurate rent ledgers, and the procedures for handling successful plan completion or default. Follow the series for practical guidance on Virginia legislative changes and landlord compliance.
  • Podcasts
    Building Effective Reporting Systems Within Businesses
    Sarah Sawyer and Russell Berger, attorneys at Offit Kurman, discuss what employees, managers, and executives should do when they receive reports of workplace issues, and how business leaders can empower people to escalate concerns. Russell explains the compliance need for clear reporting channels for improper conduct, typically routed to HR, or to an operations leader. They also explain that businesses must establish operational reporting structures through managers, and build open communication with supervised employees. Sarah notes leaders should not assume approachability guarantees reporting, especially as companies grow and add layers.