SARAH V. ACKMAN
Columbus
Summary
Dynamic legal professional with extensive experience at the State of Ohio, excelling in litigation management and legal strategy development. Proven track record in supervising teams and fostering collaboration, while effectively advising on complex legal matters. Adept at navigating government relations and implementing policy changes to enhance operational efficiency.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Deputy Legal Counsel
State of Ohio, Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
08.2021 - Current
- Supervise staff of attorneys and administrative staff
- Executed responsibilities as Deputy Legal Counsel, conducting legal research and providing client consultation to support informed decision-making.
- Provided legal advice on state policies and regulations for government operations.
- Managed litigation processes involving state agencies and external parties effectively.
- Collaborated with agency officials to address legal issues and develop solutions.
- Conducted legal research to support the administration's initiatives and decisions.
- Collaborated with legal teams, paralegals, and administrative staff to coordinate case preparation and manage workload efficiently.
- Liaised with government agencies, attorneys, and parties in legal proceedings, fostering relationships that advanced case progress.
- Developed legal strategies by analyzing case law and statutory requirements, ensuring a comprehensive approach to client representation.
- Trained staff on legal procedures and compliance requirements, enhancing overall understanding and adherence within the office.
- Provided mentorship and guidance to junior attorneys and law clerks, enhancing team skills and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Deputy Legal Counsel
State of Ohio, Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
01.2019 - 08.2021
- Liaison with Department of Public Safety, Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, Department of Youth Services, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and Department of Developmental Disabilities
- Managed litigation and settlements with liaison agencies to ensure compliance and resolution
- Managed emergency declarations for the State of Ohio
- Oversee and present clemency applications
- Work with legislature on drafting language and policy agendas
- Directed Expedited Pardon Project to streamline application processing and enhance efficiency
- Collaborated with legislative and communication staff to develop policy initiatives and advocacy strategies
Associate Legal Counsel
State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy
07.2017 - 01.2019
- Reviewed and drafted a variety of legal documents, such as contracts, memoranda, pleadings and briefs.
- Drafted and reviewed legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, briefs, motions, and settlement agreements, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Executed the implementation of medical marijuana regulations within the organization.
- Provided legal guidance to the Board regarding disciplinary actions and proposed rule changes.
- Ensured compliance of legal documents with pharmacy regulations and state laws through thorough review.
- Conducted legal research to inform policy development and enhance decision-making processes.
- Conducted research on relevant case law to support drafting of legal opinions and motions.
- Negotiated favorable settlements with opposing counsel and parties, minimizing litigation risks.
- Monitored changes in legislation that could affect the organization's operations.
- Monitored changes in state and federal regulations affecting the company's operations.
- Developed protocols for addressing legal issues within pharmacy operations in Ohio.
- Evaluated existing policies and procedures to determine whether they remain compliant with changing statutory requirements.
- Managed document production requests from internal departments and external parties during litigation.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines set by clients or supervisors.
- Provided training on legal topics to various departments within the organization.
- Coordinated with investigators and law enforcement agencies to obtain information or evidence used in hearings.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Special Victim’s Unit
Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office
Columbus
07.2013 - 07.2017
- Lateral prosecution of felony cases of sexual assaults involving adult and child victims and domestic related felony offenses
- Felony jury trials for felony cases of sexual assault and domestic related cases
- Review cases for felony filings from local police agencies and prepare for indictment by the Grand Jury
- Developed strategic prosecution plans for criminal cases, leveraging in-depth knowledge of applicable law and case precedents to strengthen arguments.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to gather and analyze evidence and witness statements, enhancing case preparation.
- Collaborated with investigators from law enforcement agencies to prepare trial materials.
- Examined evidence collected during investigations to determine whether it is admissible in court.
- Prepared evidence for trial including exhibits and witness lists.
- Presented cases in court, articulating arguments and examining witnesses.
- Argued cases in court before judges, juries and administrative bodies.
- Advised clients on legal rights, options, and potential outcomes of cases.
- Drafted motions, pleadings, and other legal correspondence for court filings.
- Coordinated with investigators and law enforcement agencies to obtain information or evidence used in hearings.
- Prepared and organized legal documents for court proceedings, ensuring comprehensive client representation.
Associate Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions Unit
Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Columbus
01.2012 - 07.2013
- Assigned to the Opiate Unit charged with the responsibility of prosecuting synthetic drug cases, pill mills and bad prescribers
- Prosecuted felony crimes in various counties in Ohio including: Jackson, Franklin, Lawrence, Scioto, Summit, Erie, Adams, Meigs, Preble, Clark, Sandusky, Greene and Coshocton
- Appeared on behalf of the Ohio Attorney General for grand jury, common pleas court, municipal and juvenile court
- Collaborated with law enforcement on investigations and prosecutions, strengthening evidence collection and case integrity.
- Traveled to counties throughout Ohio to support local prosecutors in felony crime prosecutions, enhancing case outcomes.
- Presented oral arguments before courts at the trial level and appellate level.
- Presented court cases to jurors and judges.
- Managed successful voir dire processes to optimize jury selection.
- Analyzed legal issues to determine applicable laws or regulations for particular cases.
- Drafted legal documents such as motions, pleadings, briefs, contracts, and memoranda.
- Prepared reports for senior management that distilled complex legal matters into clear summaries, facilitating informed decision-making.
- Developed strategies for resolving disputes between parties through negotiation or litigation.
- Used in-depth knowledge of legal precedents to analyze probable outcomes of cases.
- Acted as liaison between the attorneys general's office and local prosecutors' offices throughout the state.
- Speaking engagements across the state to educate attorneys and law enforcement regarding the investigation and prosecution of synthetic drug cases
- Speaking engagements across the state to local and statewide organizations to educate regarding the opiate epidemic in Ohio
- Coordinated with investigators and law enforcement agencies to obtain information or evidence used in hearings.
Supervising Attorney, Consumer Fraud Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
Dayton
09.2010 - 12.2011
- Manage caseload of consumer fraud cases for the entire office
- Supervise 3 consumer fraud investigators
- Review cases for felony filings from prosecutor investigators and outside agencies
- Prepare for consumer fraud motion hearings and trials
- Manage voluminous amounts of discovery in consumer fraud cases
- Reviewed trial strategies and provided guidance on complex legal issues.
- Collaborated with law enforcement to gather evidence and strengthen cases, resulting in more robust prosecutions.
- Monitored case progress and managed deadlines for court filings and submissions.
- Developed and implemented policies that streamlined case handling processes, improving overall office efficiency.
- Supervised paralegals in preparation of discovery responses, deposition summaries and trial exhibits.
- Researched relevant statutes, codes, regulations, ordinances and judicial decisions related to cases at hand.
- Argued clearly, logically and persuasively in written and oral form.
- Negotiated resolutions of cases with defense attorneys and judges.
- Helped explain complex concepts in court by developing timelines, graphs and PowerPoint presentations.
- Interviewed clients and witnesses to acquire additional insight into case details.
- Conducted speaking engagements for local organizations to educate citizens on consumer fraud.
- Presented court cases to jurors and judges.
Criminal Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
Dayton
08.2006 - 09.2010
- Engaged in felony jury trials for serious charges including rape and homicide, developing case strategies and legal arguments.
- Engage in extensive trial preparation including meeting with witnesses, addressing discovery issues and conducting research for numerous trials
- Reviewed cases for felony filings to ensure thorough legal scrutiny and adherence to protocols
- Prepared and managed weekly docket while conducting various motion hearings to facilitate court processes
Grand Jury Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
Dayton
10.2005 - 08.2006
- Presented cases to the Grand Jury to support prosecution efforts and uphold justice
- Facilitated preliminary hearings to evaluate case viability for informed decision-making
- Addressed post-conviction relief petitions to maintain compliance with legal standards
Child Protection Unit
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
Dayton
08.2004 - 10.2005
- Reviewed cases for neglect, dependency, and abuse filings to assess risk and inform case management decisions
- Conducted adjudication/disposition and permanent custody hearings to determine child welfare outcomes and ensure legal compliance
Legal Intern
Lucas County Children Services Board
Toledo
05.2002 - 08.2004
- Prosecuted cases involving dependent, neglected, and abused children to advocate for child welfare and achieve justice.
- Conducted legal research on child welfare laws and regulations.
- Assisted attorneys in preparing case documents and filings.
- Reviewed case files for compliance with legal standards.
Sylvania Municipal Court Prosecutor’s Office
Toledo
06.2003 - 12.2003
- Prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases
Legal Intern
Lucas County Public Defender’s Office
Toledo
05.2002 - 08.2002
- Represented clients in court for misdemeanor and felony cases, advocating for their rights
- Negotiated plea agreements with prosecutor's office to achieve favorable outcomes for clients
- Facilitated client meetings to clarify case details and gather necessary information
Education
Juris Doctor -
University of Toledo College of Law
Toledo, Ohio05-2004
Bachelor - Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies
University of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio05-2001
Skills
- Litigation management
- Legal strategy development
- Legal research
- Policy writing
- Government liaison
- Staff supervision
Volunteer Experience
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, Board of Directors, 2019-2025
- Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio, Vice President, 2025
- Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Board, Board of Directors, 2019-2021
- Kiwanis Soccer, Assistant Coach, 2021-2022
- PTO, Member, 2020-present
- Hastings Drama Club, Parent Volunteer, 2022-2025
- First Community Church, Member, 2021-present
- Buddy Walk, Team Organizer/Financial Contributor, 2017-2023
- Hastings Ski Club, Chaperone, 2023
- Wickliffe Fifth Grade, Graduation Organizer, 2022
Bar Admission
Ohio, 11/01/04
Timeline
Chief Deputy Legal Counsel
State of Ohio, Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
08.2021 - Current
Deputy Legal Counsel
State of Ohio, Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
01.2019 - 08.2021
Associate Legal Counsel
State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy
07.2017 - 01.2019
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Special Victim’s Unit
Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office
07.2013 - 07.2017
Associate Assistant Attorney General, Special Prosecutions Unit
Ohio Attorney General’s Office
01.2012 - 07.2013
Supervising Attorney, Consumer Fraud Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
09.2010 - 12.2011
Criminal Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
08.2006 - 09.2010
Grand Jury Division
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
10.2005 - 08.2006
Child Protection Unit
Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office
08.2004 - 10.2005
Sylvania Municipal Court Prosecutor’s Office
06.2003 - 12.2003
Legal Intern
Lucas County Children Services Board
05.2002 - 08.2004
Legal Intern
Lucas County Public Defender’s Office
05.2002 - 08.2002
Juris Doctor -
University of Toledo College of Law
Bachelor - Political Science and Women’s and Gender Studies
University of Toledo