Sarah Kirkpatrick

Associate

Recent Publication:

Pennsylvania Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in New CROWN Act [Alert]

Sarah Kirkpatrick discusses Pennsylvania's CROWN Act, which amends the commonwealth's Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles and head coverings associated with race or religion, requiring employers to update their grooming policies before the law takes effect in January 2026.

Sarah focuses her practice on labor and employment law, specifically employment litigation, traditional labor law, and workplace investigations. She defends employers against discrimination, wage and hour, and other claims in courts and before administrative agencies, including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, and Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. Sarah also represents clients in wage and hour class actions, labor arbitrations, and internal investigations. Additionally, Sarah reviews employee handbooks and advises employers on day-to-day workplace issues.

Prior to joining the firm as an associate, Sarah attended Villanova University's Charles Widger School of Law on a full merit scholarship, where she graduated as salutatorian and Order of the Coif. In law school, Sarah served as an articles editor for the Villanova Law Review, worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable Joel H. Slomsky of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and participated in Cozen O'Connor's 2022 summer associate program. She earned her B.A., also summa cum laude, from Gettysburg College, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

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Experience

Publications

Pennsylvania Prohibits Hairstyle Discrimination in New CROWN Act [Alert]

December 01, 2025

Sarah Kirkpatrick discusses Pennsylvania's CROWN Act, which amends the commonwealth's Human Relations Act to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles and head coverings associated with race or religion, requiring employers to update their grooming policies before the law takes effect in January 2026.

Events & Seminars

Past Events

The Workplace as a Battlefield in a Cultural War

April 16, 2024 - Philadelphia, PA

Practice Areas

Education

  • Villanova University School of Law, J.D., 2023
  • Gettysburg College, B.A., 2020

Awards & Honors

Herman J. Obert Award for Business Organizations, Villanova University

Rev. Joseph Ullman Award for Criminal Law, Villanova University

Dean’s Merit Scholarship, Villanova University

Ellen Wertheimer Award for Excellence in Tort Studies, Villanova University

Eric D. Turner Award, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey