Sarah A. Marsey
415.743.6947
Overview
Sarah A. Marsey is an experienced trial attorney based in Holland & Knight's San Francisco office. Ms. Marsey has successfully represented corporations and individuals in jury and bench trials and binding arbitrations in California and Alaska. Ms. Marsey's practice focuses on all types of complex litigation including contract disputes, insurance matters (on behalf of brokers, insurers and insureds), construction claims, trade secrets and restrictive covenant, and tort litigation. She also has experience representing clients in administrative and mandamus litigation relating to housing, land use and environmental matters.
In addition to acting as trial counsel, Ms. Marsey has represented clients before California Courts of Appeal and the Alaska Supreme Court. Her trial and appellate experiences assist in her developing strategies for optimal early resolution of cases and claims.
Representative Experience
- Obtained defense verdict as the lead counsel on behalf of construction company in a multimillion-dollar premises liability trial
- Second-chair counsel defending an insurance company in three-week jury trial on claims for breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing and breach of contract in California state court
- Co-lead trial counsel obtaining six-figure verdict and judgment dismissing all counterclaims in a weeklong judicial reference based on breach of contract claims
- Successfully represented client as second-chair counsel in a four-week jury trial against multimillion-dollar breach of contract and negligence claims arising from construction project in Texas
- Second-chair counsel in six-week jury trial against three parties in Alaska state court based on negligence, spoliation and vicarious liability claims
- Successfully represented an investor in weeklong Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration case against broker-dealer based on misrepresentation claim
- Second-chair counsel in two-week jury trial resulting in seven-figure verdict for the client on claim for insurance bad faith in Alaska court
- Represented plaintiff in bad faith lawsuit against insurance company that resulted in the Alaska Supreme Court adopting rule that causation is not an essential element of the tort of bad faith in Alaska
- Obtained summary judgments on behalf of three clients – the trademark holder, managing member of limited liability company and a landlord – as to all of plaintiffs' claims seeking multimillion dollars
- Represented clients in Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) cases on medical malpractice claims arising from the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of meningitis resulting in severe personal injuries to two infants before obtaining multimillion-dollar settlements
- Secured dismissal of guilty plea and dismissal of federal indictment on behalf of the chief of staff to the governor of Alaska
- Obtained anti-strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) dismissing claims of malicious prosecution and abuse of process in favor of law firm and attorney that was affirmed by the California Court of Appeal
- Authored petition for writ to the California Court of Appeal following denial of motion for summary judgement because decision expanded coverage beyond the language of the Commercial General Liability (CGL) policy
- Represented respondent before the California Court of Appeal resulting in affirmation of judgment in favor of client's motion for nonsuit
- Represented plaintiff in a bad faith lawsuit against insurer in appeal and cross-appeal before the Alaska Supreme Court resulting in a published opinion announcing that causation is not an essential element of the tort of bad faith in Alaska
- Represented respondent and cross-appellant before the California Court of Appeal resulting in the affirmation of judgment in client's favor following four-week jury trial
Credentials
Education
- Rutgers Law School, J.D.
- San Francisco State University, B.A., Political Science
Bar Admissions/Licenses
- Alaska
- California
Court Admissions
- All State Courts in California
- All State Courts in Alaska
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
Memberships
- The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Board of Trustees, Secretary, 2023-Present
Honors & Awards
- Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service, Justice and Diversity Center (JDC), 2023
- Holland & Knight Pro Bono All-Star, 2020, 2021
- Rutgers Moot Court Board, 2008-2010
- David Cohn Appellate Advocacy Competition, First Place, 2009
- Nathan Baker Mock Trial Competition, Semi-Finalist, 2008
- National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) Team, Rutgers Law School, 2010
- Nathan N. Schildkraut Award in Appellate Advocacy, Rutgers Law School, 2010