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Sarah L. Wilson

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5397

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Sarah Wilson is a litigation and investigations partner who chairs the firm’s market-leading Product Safety Practice Group. Her clients include the world’s largest global consumer and commercial products manufacturers across a range of industries, including consumer packaged goods, automotive vehicles and equipment, aviation, electronics, life sciences, and information technology. Sarah has successfully represented clients in the largest recalls and safety-related investigations in recent history, including airbags, fire extinguishers, single load liquid laundry packets, toxic chemicals in household products, lithium-ion battery-powered laptops, car seats, and electric bikes and scooters. Sarah assists clients in developing cutting edge recall policies, compliance program enhancements, and voluntary safety standards.

    Prior to joining Covington, Sarah served in several high-ranking federal government positions, including as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, as Senior and Associate Counsel to the President, and as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Trial Attorney in the Department of Justice.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Successfully represented major consumer products manufacturers in numerous CPSC post-recall investigations that were closed with no enforcement action.
    • Represented automotive and consumer products manufacturers in two of the largest NHTSA and CPSC recalls in U.S. history.
    • Representation of mail services provider in a DOJ False Claims Act and Postal Inspection Service investigation involving postal rate discounts.
    • Representation of medical device supplier in False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute investigation; matter was closed without action.
    • Representation of global automotive company in series of internal investigations involving quality assurance and work culture issues.
    • Representation of global investment company in NHTSA tire recall and related post-recall arbitration proceeding.

    • Representation of global industrial technology company in NHTSA vehicle kit recall.
    • Representation of global automotive parts company in DOJ cartel investigation.
    • Representation of global electronic consumer products company in recall and post-recall investigations involving lithium-ion batteries.
    • Representation of major telecommunications companies in $1.2 billion False Claims Act case involving FCC spectrum licenses.
    • Representation of defense contractor in criminal fraud and civil False Claims Act matter involving military armor.
    • Representation of defense contractor in criminal and civil False Claims Act suit involving wartime operations.
    • Representation of pharmaceutical and medical device company in civil False Claims Act matter involving discounting practices.
    • Representation of major pharmaceutical companies in civil False Claims Act matters involving product contamination and recall issues.
    • Representation of Chinese and US pharmaceutical companies in FCPA investigations.
    • Representation of pharmaceutical, medical device, defense contractor, and telecommunications companies in False Claims Act and criminal fraud investigations and litigation.
    • Representation of global consumer products and consumer health care companies in CPSC investigations and enforcement actions.
    • Representation of venture capital software company and apparel company in AAA and CPR arbitrations involving commercial disputes.
    • Representation of corporate policyholder in a first-party property insurance coverage dispute involving extensive damage to Florida hotels caused by Hurricane Frances.
    • Representation of a major natural foods distributor and retailer in a consumer class action involving the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act.
    • Representation of major railroad companies in state and federal tax litigation, breach of contract and takings litigation.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Columbia Law School
        • Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
        • Columbia Human Rights Law Review, Editor
    • Yale University, M.Phil.
    • Yale University, M.A.
    • Williams College, B.A.
        • cum laude
        • Phi Beta Kappa
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • Pennsylvania
    Government Experience
    • White House
    • U.S. Department of Justice
    • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
    Judicial Clerkship
    • Hon. Richard L. Williams, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, 1990 - 1991
    Pro Bono
    • Represented the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce in a successful lawsuit challenging the Small Business Administration’s delay in implementing the Women’s Procurement Program.
    • Represented a criminal defense attorney organization in a successful legal reform effort involving Virginia’s indigent defense compensation system.
    Accolades
    • The BTI Consulting Group, “Client Service All-Stars” (2020)
    • Legal 500 US, Marketing and Advertising (2015-2017)
    • Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2016-2020) 
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, Criminal Defense: White Collar (2014-2020)
    Memberships and Affiliations
    • Women in Law Empowerment Forum, Board Member
    • American Bar Association, Litigation Section
    • D.C. Women’s Bar Association
    • Legal Aid Society of D.C., Board Member
    Previous Experience
    • United States Court of Federal Claims, Judge 
    • White House Counsel’s Office, Senior and Associate Counsel 
    • Department of Justice, Office of Policy Development, Deputy Assistant Attorney General 
    • Department of Justice, Federal Programs Branch Civil Division, Trial Attorney

    Areas of Expertise

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