Fisher Phillips, an international labor and employment law firm representing employers, is pleased to welcome Sara Hellstedt as the latest partner to join the firm’s Portland, ME office, continuing the firm’s strategic expansion of its Higher Education, K-12 Education and Workplace Investigations practices. Sara is the 7th partner to join Fisher Phillips since the firm opened its Portland office one year ago, bringing the office’s attorney headcount to 14.
Sara is a seasoned attorney investigator who focuses on serving as an impartial, external investigator in complex and publicized misconduct matters throughout the country. In the Higher Education and K-12 contexts, she is frequently asked to investigate misconduct complaints involving students, faculty, personnel, coaches, and athletes, and serves as a neutral investigator for colleges, universities, and K-12 institutions nationwide. Sara has conducted and overseen hundreds of misconduct investigations involving civil rights, discrimination, harassment, bullying, and sexual misconduct. She also regularly acts as a third-party neutral hearing officer, adjudicator, and decision-maker. Sara conducts Title IX hearings for educational institutions, sometimes serving as sole decision-maker or hearing panel chair, and other times operating as an appeal officer.
Beyond investigations, Sara works with educational institutions and other employers on preventive training and policy development; advises clients on general employment matters and special education issues; and drafts handbooks, policies, and procedures in accordance with employment laws and best practices.
“Sara’s arrival strengthens our national Higher Education, K-12, and Workplace Investigation practices and expands the unique support we provide to clients in Maine and beyond,” said Chris Stief, Regional Managing Partner of Fisher Phillips’ Portland office. “Her experience not only enhances our ability to deliver tailored, high-quality investigative services that meet the evolving needs of education institutions but also furthers the steady growth of our team of education-focused attorneys in Portland. Having Sara join us reflects our continued investment in and long-term commitment to growing our presence and capabilities in the Portland office.”
Sara received her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law, magna cum laude, and her B.A., cum laude, from Middlebury College. She is admitted to practice in Maine and Vermont.
About Fisher Phillips
With hundreds of attorneys across the globe, Fisher Phillips advises and advocates for employers internationally on some of the most complex and high-profile workplace matters. We leverage our employment experience, tech and thought leadership credentials to keep our clients ready for what’s next. By understanding their business, we help them adapt faster to a faster-changing world, realize possibilities sooner and more effectively, and stay steps ahead when everything is on the line.
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