Sarah A. Thompson is a partner at Ryther Law Group, an animal rights law firm in Southern California. Sarah also works as an attorney and rescue partner for Expand Animal Rights Now, Ryther Law Group’s sister nonprofit organization, providing pro and low bono legal services to advance the rights of animals.
Sarah grew up in Orange County, California, and attended Villanova University, graduating magna cum laude with a major in Sociology and minors in French and Political Science in 2012. She then earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco School of Law, graduating with honors in 2015, and earning numerous merit awards, including awards in Administrative Law, Family Law, and Evidence. At USF, Sarah obtained a certificate in Public Interest Law, in part due to her volunteer work with the San Francisco SPCA.
Before beginning her career in animal rights law, Sarah practiced family law in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. Sarah also taught Legal Drafting as an adjunct faculty member at USF for two years.
Additionally, Sarah has been selected as a Rising Star by Los Angeles Magazine’s Super Lawyers for four years in a row (2020 through 2023), and she has been a frequent contributor to legal journals, such as the Los Angeles Daily Journal. She has also recently been a guest on Hogs & Kisses’ YouTube series about animal rights. Sarah is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Beverly Hills Bar Association.
Sarah enjoys yoga, cooking (as a proud vegan), wine tasting, and travel, as well as hiking with her three rescue wolf dogs. Having a special affinity for wolves and wolf dogs, she volunteers with Apex Protection Project, including sponsoring a wolfdog yearly, assisting with legal issues, and reviewing foster, adoption, and surrender applications. In addition, Sarah and her husband have just opened a nonprofit, Red Wolf Rescue, with the goals of education and sanctuary.