Boardman Law Firm

Sarah A. Zylstra, Partner

Business Litigation • Litigation for Individuals

Since she joined Boardman Law Firm, Sarah has been conducting all facets of civil litigation in state and federal courts, including pleadings, discovery, motions, trials, and appeals. She focuses primarily on commercial and insurance litigation, including contract disputes, tort claims, and employment law. Her practice includes defense of class actions and multi-district litigation. In addition, she has handled legislative redistricting controversies.

Sarah is adept at federal court procedure and frequently serves as local counsel or lead counsel for matters venued in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

Prior Practice Experience

• Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Patience D. Roggensack, Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District IV, 1999-2000

Education

• University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, December 1998, Order of the Coif, University of Wisconsin Law Review
• University of Wisconsin - Madison, The Robert M. La Follette Institute of Public Affairs, MA in Public Affairs and Public Administration, May 1998
• Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts, B.A., cum laude, May 1992

Community Involvement and Board membership

• YWCA Board of Directors (2004-2006), Treasurer (2004), Secretary (2007-present)
• International Crane Foundation volunteer (2002-present)
• Family-to-Family Christmas volunteer (2003-present)
• State Bar of Wisconsin Mock Trial Tournament Judge (2004-2006)
• Leadership Greater Madison, Madison Chamber of Commerce (2006-2007)
• Cherrywood Neighborhood Association, Board Member (2002-2008)

Other Professional Memberships

• State Bar of Wisconsin
• American Bar Association, Litigation Section
• Western District of Wisconsin Bar Association, Member(2003-present); Treasurer (2006-2008); President-Elect (2008-2009); Current President
• President, Western District Bar Association Pro Bono Fund, Inc.
• Legal Association for Women, Member (2000-present); Program Committee (2001)

Admitted to Practice

• All Wisconsin state courts
• United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western District of Wisconsin
• United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (General Bar)
• United States District Court for the District of Colorado
• United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit