Sarah B.Affel
Senior Counsel
Labor & Employment
saffel@seyfarth.com
Sarah helps employers implement, follow, and defend policies and practices that create respectful and productive workplaces.
More About Sarah
Appropriately addressing concerns of discrimination and harassment in the workplace is both challenging and critical for employers. Clients look to Sarah for guidance on preventing legal issues and for effective legal representation.
Sarah counsels employers on developing workplace policies and procedures, conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, and represents clients if lawsuits arise. Clients rely on her prompt and thorough approach to navigate difficult situations.
Sarah provides skilled and thoughtful representation to employers in single-plaintiff litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She guides clients through every phase of the process—from responding to charges before administrative agencies to managing discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Her approach is grounded in strategic risk assessment and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics, allowing her to advocate effectively while minimizing disruption to her clients’ operations.
Sarah also helps clients navigate internal investigations relating to executive and workplace conduct. In addition to impartial fact-finding, she provides guidance to companies on post-investigation steps, including discipline, trainings, and policy or procedure changes. She has significant experience and training in handling investigations within higher-education institutions, including Title VI and Title IX-related investigations, and sexual misconduct investigations.
Sarah is passionate about meaningfully addressing her clients’ legal concerns because she understands that the stakes are high when a workplace conflict arises.
Sarah counsels employers on developing workplace policies and procedures, conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, and represents clients if lawsuits arise. Clients rely on her prompt and thorough approach to navigate difficult situations.
Sarah provides skilled and thoughtful representation to employers in single-plaintiff litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She guides clients through every phase of the process—from responding to charges before administrative agencies to managing discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Her approach is grounded in strategic risk assessment and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics, allowing her to advocate effectively while minimizing disruption to her clients’ operations.
Sarah also helps clients navigate internal investigations relating to executive and workplace conduct. In addition to impartial fact-finding, she provides guidance to companies on post-investigation steps, including discipline, trainings, and policy or procedure changes. She has significant experience and training in handling investigations within higher-education institutions, including Title VI and Title IX-related investigations, and sexual misconduct investigations.
Sarah is passionate about meaningfully addressing her clients’ legal concerns because she understands that the stakes are high when a workplace conflict arises.
- JD, Northeastern University School of Law
- BA, Tufts University
- Massachusetts
- New York
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Webinar
Jun 24, 2025
Webinar Recording: Cultural Flashpoints Litigation and Investigations — Strategies for Employers
-
Seyfarth Event
Apr 3, 2025
Boston Breakfast Briefing: Navigating Cultural Flashpoints in the Workplace in 2025
-
Attorney Publication
03/21/2025
Dawn Solowey, Ann Marie Zaletel, and Sarah Affel Write on Employers Navigating Cultural Flashpoints Investigations in Law360
- Co-Author, "Employer Tips To Navigate Cultural Flashpoints Investigations," Law360 (March 21, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Navigating Cultural Flashpoints in the Workplace in 2025,” Seyfarth Event, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 3, 2025)
Sarah helps employers implement, follow, and defend policies and practices that create respectful and productive workplaces.
More About Sarah
Appropriately addressing concerns of discrimination and harassment in the workplace is both challenging and critical for employers. Clients look to Sarah for guidance on preventing legal issues and for effective legal representation.
Sarah counsels employers on developing workplace policies and procedures, conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, and represents clients if lawsuits arise. Clients rely on her prompt and thorough approach to navigate difficult situations.
Sarah provides skilled and thoughtful representation to employers in single-plaintiff litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She guides clients through every phase of the process—from responding to charges before administrative agencies to managing discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Her approach is grounded in strategic risk assessment and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics, allowing her to advocate effectively while minimizing disruption to her clients’ operations.
Sarah also helps clients navigate internal investigations relating to executive and workplace conduct. In addition to impartial fact-finding, she provides guidance to companies on post-investigation steps, including discipline, trainings, and policy or procedure changes. She has significant experience and training in handling investigations within higher-education institutions, including Title VI and Title IX-related investigations, and sexual misconduct investigations.
Sarah is passionate about meaningfully addressing her clients’ legal concerns because she understands that the stakes are high when a workplace conflict arises.
Sarah counsels employers on developing workplace policies and procedures, conducts internal investigations on behalf of clients, and represents clients if lawsuits arise. Clients rely on her prompt and thorough approach to navigate difficult situations.
Sarah provides skilled and thoughtful representation to employers in single-plaintiff litigation involving claims of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. She guides clients through every phase of the process—from responding to charges before administrative agencies to managing discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Her approach is grounded in strategic risk assessment and a deep understanding of workplace dynamics, allowing her to advocate effectively while minimizing disruption to her clients’ operations.
Sarah also helps clients navigate internal investigations relating to executive and workplace conduct. In addition to impartial fact-finding, she provides guidance to companies on post-investigation steps, including discipline, trainings, and policy or procedure changes. She has significant experience and training in handling investigations within higher-education institutions, including Title VI and Title IX-related investigations, and sexual misconduct investigations.
Sarah is passionate about meaningfully addressing her clients’ legal concerns because she understands that the stakes are high when a workplace conflict arises.
- JD, Northeastern University School of Law
- BA, Tufts University
- Massachusetts
- New York
- US District Court, District of Massachusetts
Related Services
Related News & Insights
-
Webinar
Jun 24, 2025
Webinar Recording: Cultural Flashpoints Litigation and Investigations — Strategies for Employers
-
Seyfarth Event
Apr 3, 2025
Boston Breakfast Briefing: Navigating Cultural Flashpoints in the Workplace in 2025
-
Attorney Publication
03/21/2025
Dawn Solowey, Ann Marie Zaletel, and Sarah Affel Write on Employers Navigating Cultural Flashpoints Investigations in Law360
- Co-Author, "Employer Tips To Navigate Cultural Flashpoints Investigations," Law360 (March 21, 2025)
- Co-Presenter, “Navigating Cultural Flashpoints in the Workplace in 2025,” Seyfarth Event, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 3, 2025)