Practice Areas

Labor & Employment
Litigation
Title IX
Investigations

Education

J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law

B.A., University of Alberta

Admissions

California

Sarah E. Fama

Partner | Walnut Creek

sfama@lozanosmith.com
Tel: 925.953.1620
Fax: 925.953.1625
Vcard   | Bio

Overview

Sarah E. Fama is a Partner in Lozano Smith's Walnut Creek office and co-chair of the firm's Title IX Practice Area. She represents public agencies through various aspects of employment and general liability issues.

Experience

Ms. Fama represents public employers at California Superior Court, California Labor Commission, California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, California Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. She regularly defends employers against claims of harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, and wage and hour violations. Clients seek her out to provide guidance, education and training to employers regarding employment law compliance, in areas of harassment, discrimination, separation, accommodation, and wage and hour compliance.

She is routinely involved in investigations, either by guiding employers through the investigation process or by acting as an investigator herself. She also advises employers and provides training on various topics including investigations, Title IX, sexual harassment, Uniform Complaint Procedure, retaliation, discrimination and other complaints that may arise in an education setting.

Education

Ms. Fama received her Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, where she was named to the Dean's Honor List. Her J.D. concentration was focused on International Legal Studies. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Alberta.

Trump Administration Sues CDE and CIF for Title IX Violations

By: Sarah Fama, Emma Sol-

Ninth Circuit Leaves in Place Idaho Law that Requires K-12 Students to Use Facilities Consistent with their Biological Sex

By: Sloan Simmons, Sarah Fama, Sinead McDonough-

Title IX: Impacts of Legal Challenges and Executive Orders

By: Carolyn Gemma, Sarah Fama, Monica Batanero-

Federal Court Vacates 2024 Title IX Regulations Nationwide

By: Sarah Fama, Monica Batanero, Sloan Simmons-

Ninth Circuit Confirms Title IX Protections for Perceived Sexual Orientation

By: Sloan Simmons, Sarah Fama-

New EEOC Poster to be Posted by Employers

By: Sarah Fama-

New OCR Guidance Regarding Title IX and Pregnancy

By: Sloan Simmons, Sarah Fama-

U.S. Department of Education Releases Proposed New Title IX Regulations

By: Michelle Cannon, Sarah Fama, Emma Sol-

50th Anniversary of Title IX

By: Ruth Mendyk, Sarah Fama, Emma Sol-

New Case Highlights Interplay Between Special Education and Sexual Harassment Laws

By: Michelle Cannon, Sarah Fama-

The Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Will No Longer Enforce a Portion of the 2020 Amendments to Title IX Regulations

By: Sarah Fama, Carolyn Gemma-

REMINDER: The New Requirements for Postsecondary Institutions to Address Sexual Harassment of Students Become Effective January 1, 2022

By: Sarah Fama-

E98 Gender Identity, Title IX, and Equal Protection: Status of Federal and California Law and Pending Litigation

By: Sarah Fama, Sinead McDonough-

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons joins Title IX attorneys Sarah Fama and Sinead McDonough for a comprehensive discussion regarding the status of the law as it pertains to gender identity, students, and schools. Topics covered include the current status of California and federal law and policy on point, as well as the wide-ranging scope of pending litigation poised to impact this area of school law.

E92 Title IX: Past Lessons, Present Shifts, and Future Possibilities

By: Sarah Fama, Monica Batanero, Emma Sol-

This episode explores the evolving landscape of Title IX through the lens of where we are and where we're headed. From the impact of the 2020 regulations and the recent vacating of the 2024 regulations, to current executive orders, investigations, and state laws shaping implementation today, our team looks ahead at what future federal guidance may hold. Lozano Smith Title IX gurus Monica Batanero, Sarah Fama, and Emma Sol join host Sloan Simmons for this timely discussion to help school leaders navigate the rapid legal changes.

E78 At Last! The New Title IX Regulations Are Here – What You Need to Know

By: Monica Batanero, Sarah Fama-

In this episode, host Sloan Simmons engages with Lozano Smith Title IX Practice Group Leaders Monica Batanero and Sarah Fama in a step-by-step discussion regarding the new Title IX regulations, as well as helpful context regarding various legal challenges pending around the country to the new regulations.