Practice Co-Chair

Sarah M. Mercer

Sarah M. Mercer

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Background

Blends legal acumen with political expertise to navigate complex state AG and legislative landscapes. Connector of people, power and solutions. Trusted in high-stakes negotiations where access and credibility matter most.

Sarah Mercer helps clients overcome entrenched legal and policy challenges by guiding them through the intersecting worlds of law, business and politics. With a unique blend of litigation experience and government relations expertise, she develops creative strategies that align legal outcomes with political opportunity—whether working across the country with state attorneys general or shaping policy at the Colorado state capitol.

Sarah advises clients on proactive engagement with state AGs, helping build relationships, anticipate enforcement trends, and respond to civil investigative demands and subpoenas with clarity and confidence. At the same time, she is a leading force in Colorado state lobbying, where she builds coalitions, drafts legislation and leads lobbying strategy on issues ranging from artificial intelligence and housing to financial services and health care.

Known for her deep network across state and local government and her ability to unify diverse stakeholders, Sarah brings focus and pragmatism to every engagement. She gets results in situations where others stall thanks to a grounded understanding of how legal strategy and political capital work together.

Sarah’s determination and passion extends beyond her client work. Appointed by the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, Sarah chairs the Colorado Independent Ethics Commission. In addition, she proudly provides pro bono lobbying representation for Colorado Legal Services to ensure funding for free, high-quality civil legal services for the neediest Coloradans. Sarah formerly served on the Edgewater City Council and the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

Representative Matters

Recent Experience

  • Collaborated on behalf of client with multiple state attorneys general to develop and bring multi-state litigation against high profile federal program, which resulted in favorable preliminary injunctions in two different federal jurisdictions.

  • Ongoing representation of various financial services companies in investigations and litigation by state attorneys general under consumer protection laws and the Uniform Consumer Credit Code.

  • Defeated high-profile Colorado state legislation two years in a row that would have prohibited the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence to recommend rent pricing to the housing industry.

  • Led breakthrough negotiations with stakeholders for legislative changes to the Colorado Recreational Use Statute to address liability concerns and reopen access to iconic hiking trails such as Mount Lindsay, one of Colorado’s 14ers.

  • Advised dozens of clients on federal Paycheck Protection Program compliance and enforcement risk at a time when the program’s rules for eligibility, use of funds, and documentation were in constant flux.

Insights & Publications

News

Credentials

Education

  • J.D., 2007, University of Colorado Law School
  • B.A., 2004, Harvard University

Previous Experience

Counsel for the Honorable Michael Bender, Colorado Supreme Court

Litigation Associate, Welborn Sullivan Meck & Tooley, P.C.

Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Michael Bender, Colorado Supreme Court

Admissions

  • Colorado

Memberships

Colorado Bar Association

Denver Bar Association

Colorado Women’s Bar Association

Doyle Inn of Court

Community Involvement

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, 2021-present

Colorado Competitive Council, 2017-present

Denver Bar Association Board of Trustees, 2014-2018

Edgewater Collective Board of Directors, 2013-2016

Colorado Bar Association Board of Governors, 2012-14

Edgewater City Council, 2009-2011

Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, 2010

Edgewater City Charter Review and Compliance Commission, 2008-09

Recognition

AWARDS:

Law Week Colorado, Top Women Lawyers, 2021

Finalist, GenXYZ Top 25 Young Professionals, ColoradoBiz, 2021

Denver Business Journal, 40 Under 40, 2020

5280 Top Lawyers, 2019-2025

Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2015-2022

Up-and-Coming Lawyer, Law Week Colorado, 2010

Editor-in-Chief, Vol. 78, University of Colorado Law Review, University of Colorado Law School, 2006-07

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