Zuckerman Spaeder Partner Sara Lawson to Serve on Prosecutorial Independence Task Force

Partner Sara Alpert Lawson has been named to the Task Force for Prosecutorial Independence, which was created by the Criminal Justice Section of the American Bar Association (ABA). The goal of the task force is to preserve and strengthen prosecutorial independence and enhance the American public’s understanding of the prosecutor’s critical role in maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system.

Ms. Lawson will serve as reporter for the task force, which has 24 members and is comprised of a diverse group of prosecutors, defenders, legal scholars, and others with expertise in the criminal justice system from across the country and across the political spectrum. The task force will be assisted by an advisory board composed of national leaders, including former U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Larry D. Thompson.

“As a third-generation attorney, I have a deeply held commitment to protecting the legal system that safeguards our democracy,” Ms. Lawson commented. “Prosecutorial independence is fundamental to that protection, and now more than ever, it is something we must work tirelessly to maintain.”

In her legal practice, Ms. Lawson represents businesses and individuals in high-stakes government investigations and commercial disputes. Throughout her career, Ms. Lawson has dedicated significant time to serving her community and to advancing the legal profession. In addition to her work with the ABA, she is active with the Women’s White Collar Defense Association (WWCDA), and formerly served on the Board of Directors and Development Council for Bay Area Legal Services in Tampa, Florida.  

Ms. Lawson became involved in issues concerning the independence and discretion of locally-elected prosecutors when elected State Attorney, Andrew Warren, was suspended by Florida’s Governor. She wrote an amicus brief on behalf of 115 legal scholars who argued for his reinstatement. She currently represents locally-elected State Attorney Monique Worrell in challenging her suspension by Florida’s Governor.  

Ms. Lawson was instrumental in the preparation of the ABA Criminal Justice Section’s recent Resolution 501, which was adopted by the ABA House of Delegates in February 2024, urging federal, state, and local officials to adhere to the ABA Standards for the Prosecution Function.  Ms. Lawson has also spoken on prosecutorial independence at legal industry conferences.

A full list of task force and advisory board members is available here.