Biography
Sarah is the founder of Thompson Animal Law PC, an exclusively animal law and animal rights law firm, based in Newport Beach, California.
Sarah has been practicing animal law since 2022, and was previously a partner at Ryther Law Group LLP. Prior to her career in animal law, Sarah practiced family law for five years. Sarah also taught Legal Drafting as an adjunct faculty member at USF for two years.
Sarah is a frequent contributor to legal journals and has appeared on various radio, news, and YouTube interviews concerning animal rights and her cases. She is also a regular guest lecturer at law schools across the country on various animal law issues.
As an animal law attorney, Sarah has been lead attorney in many trials and administrative hearings. She has successfully prevented the euthanasia of canine companions after bite incidents and handled multiple successful domestic violence restraining order and civil harassment trials relating to animal custody disputes, small claims appeals, and a veterinary malpractice jury trial.
In addition, Sarah has a special affinity for wolf dogs. In 2024, Sarah was instrumental in securing the safe release of more than 20 wolf dogs from the City of Barstow and Shasta County, and, in 2025, she saved the lives of two other wolf dogs after a bite incident. Relatedly, Sarah and her husband founded nonprofit, Red Wolf Rescue, and they look forward to growing the small organization to advocate for wolves and wolf dogs.
Specialty Areas and Course Descriptions
Academic Credentials
- JD, with honors, University of San Francisco School of Law
- LLM in Animal Law, Summa Cum Laude, Lewis & Clark Law School
Bibliography
- “Trump’s egg price lawsuit against California cracks under scrutiny”, co-author with Jill L. Ryther, the Daily Journal, July 22, 2025
- “Untangling Pet Custody”, co-author with Jill Ryther, ABA GP Solo (Jan/Feb 2025 Edition)
- Amicus curiae brief co-author with Jill Ryther on behalf of Expand Animal Rights Now, in support of the plaintiff in Berry v. Frazier (2023) 90 Cal.App.5th 1258
- “Supplemental discovery requests: underused tool in an era of delay”, Los Angeles Daily Journal (published December 30, 2020)
Latest Appointments
- Member, TIPS Animal Law Committee, American Bar Association
- Executive Committee Member, Co-Secretary, Animal Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Co-Chair, Farmed Animal Committee, Animal Law Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- Member Beverly Hills Bar Association
- Member, Orange County Bar Association
- Member, Riverside County Bar Association
Latest Awards and Honors
- Rising Star, Super Lawyers (2020 through 2026)