Sarah Gottlieb

Sarah Gottlieb is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Clinic at Washington and Lee University School of Law. She joined W&L in 2024, bringing over a decade of public defense experience.

• Undergraduate: Boston University (Art History, Sociology)
• Law Degree: Boston College

Her research focuses on criminal legal system reforms, particularly the limitations of prosecutorial-driven changes and the efficacy of conviction integrity units. She examines systemic issues like racial disparities, mass incarceration, and collateral consequences of criminal records.

Gottlieb’s scholarly work trends include critical analysis of prosecutorial roles in legal reform, with articles published in the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Criminology and a forthcoming piece in the Colorado Law Review. Her work bridges practical advocacy with academic critique.

As director of the Criminal Justice Clinic, she supervises students in representing clients facing misdemeanor charges and conducting post-conviction relief work. This experiential learning model emphasizes holistic client advocacy, addressing both legal and socioeconomic contexts.