Sarah E. Ruter

In working with clients, Sarah draws upon her prior experience as both an educator and employer. She is an empathic listener, communicator, and problem-solver who not only guides clients step-by-step through crises, but works with organizations to curtail or prevent such crises from occurring in the first place.

Biography

Sarah Ruter provides employment law advice to executives, businesses and nonprofit organizations of all sizes. She offers counsel and training in all areas of employment law, including employee handbooks, interviewing and hiring, compensation agreements, harassment and discrimination, leaves of absence, and employee performance plans, separation agreements, and terminations. Her practice is focused solely on employment law and employment litigation. Sarah has represented businesses, employers, individuals, and tribal clients in matters such as employment discrimination, wrongful termination, wage and hour violations, and retaliation. She has represented clients in court, in regulatory and administrative hearings, mediations, arbitrations, and before federal and state human rights and equal employment opportunity enforcement agencies.

Sarah holds a degree in Secondary Education and spent several years prior to law school as a high school English teacher and theater director. She graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2005, where she was a member of the National Moot Court team and the Robins Kaplan Civil Practice Clinic. She also taught Legal Research + Writing courses and directed the law school musical. In addition to her practice in employment and commercial litigation, Sarah served as a guardian ad litem and attorney for children in need of protective services.

Having recruited, interviewed, hired, and supervised hundreds of candidates and employees herself, Sarah has a unique understanding of the conflicting personal and professional elements at play in an employment relationship. Her education clients are especially appreciative of her prior experience as an educator and administrator.

Bar Admissions

  • Massachusetts, 2021
  • United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, 2022
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 2005
  • Eighth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals, 2006

Education

  • University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2005
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, B.S., Secondary Education and English, 1997

Experience

Prior to joining the HRW Team, Sarah practiced at a boutique employment firm in Wellesley, Massachusetts, as well as a larger law firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sarah also spent many years as Head of Programs for EXPLO Pre-College + Career (formerly EXPLO at Yale) running a non-profit summer enrichment program for approximately 1500 students and 150 faculty and staff members per summer.

During law school, Sarah completed a Judicial Externship with the Honorable Stephen C. Aldrich, 4th Judicial District of Minnesota. She also directed the University of Minnesota Law School Musical (TORT).

Publications & Appearances

  • Author, “Family and Medical Leave Act Impacted by Military Service Rules,” published in Hennepin Lawyer, May 2008.

Affiliations

  • Member, Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Member, Boston Bar Association
  • Member, Women’s Bar Association

Awards

  • Named a Minnesota “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers and Minnesota Law and Politics, 2010
  • Named an “Up and Coming Attorney” by Minnesota Lawyer, 2008

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