Mercer, Sarah M. - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Sarah M. Mercer Sarah M. Mercer_HighRes

Sarah M. Mercer

Shareholder
smercer@bhfs.com
303.223.1139
Denver, Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Las Vegas, Nevada

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

Sarah Mercer pairs her litigation background with her passion for local and state government to develop creative political and administrative solutions for her clients’ legal problems. She helps her clients overcome challenging and entrenched legal issues by navigating the complex and fickle political landscape.

Through her close ties with elected officials and bureaucratic staff at all levels of local and state government, including legislative leaders, department directors, mayors, governors and attorneys general, Sarah forms connections and bridges relationships within the firm and for her clients.

Her multi-state practice, which includes Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, encompasses lobbying, political and regulatory advocacy, campaign finance, land use and gaming. Sarah’s involvement in several high-profile policy matters demonstrates her leadership and skill in the field. She succeeded in persuading the Colorado General Assembly to authorize private equity investment in the provision of elder care on behalf of InnovAge, which resulted in the expansion of services to Colorado’s seniors while allowing them to remain in their own homes. Sarah was also successful in the unanimous passage of state legislation which removed licensure requirements so that individuals can watch up to three pets in their homes without regulatory oversight and can more easily participate in the sharing economy through platforms like the firm’s client Rover.com. Further, her advocacy on behalf of Smart Colorado resulted in legislation that prohibits edible marijuana in forms that can be confused with traditional candy and secured a $9.2 million increase in funding for marijuana education in elementary, middle and high schools across the state.

Sarah is not currently licensed to practice in Nevada or New Mexico.

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

Practices & Industries

Practices

Industries

Representative Matters

  • On behalf of a Nevada casino, passed a law that allowed relocation of the gaming establishment because the existing establishment was adjacent to a military installation that had been designated by the federal government as necessary for the expansion of the military installation.

  • On behalf of a Colorado municipality, secured $9M for a new cybersecurity intelligence center in partnership with the University of Colorado and federal Department of Defense, and amended legislation to reduce the regulatory burden on the city’s fire department and EMS responders.

  • Provided risk assessment and advised on lease restrictions for prospective tenant selling hemp-derived CBD products.

News & Events
Community

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

Publications & Presentations
Education
  • J.D., 2007, University of Colorado Law School
  • B.A., 2004, Harvard University
Admissions
  • Colorado
Recognition

Denver Business Journal, 40 Under 40, 2020

5280 Top Lawyers, Government Relations, 2019-2020

Colorado Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2015-2020

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

Membership

Colorado Bar Association

Denver Bar Association

Colorado Women’s Bar Association

Doyle Inn of Court

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