Sarah Stokes
Senior Attorney
A native Alabamian, Sarah litigates cases under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, and Federal Power Act. She leads SELC’s regional stormwater group and is a registered Alabama lobbyist. Her expertise has led to unanimous decisions at the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court.
“I love working with our partners to make our state a better place to live,” Sarah says. To that end, she helped block Cahaba Beach Road, a development that would have put Birmingham’s drinking water at risk, and reduced harmful air emissions from Birmingham coke facilities. “Beyond our settlement with ABC Coke, nearby Bluestone Coke has ceased operations,” she points out. “If Bluestone were to start operations again, they would have to do it in compliance with the Clean Air Act, with surrounding communities’ safety and wellbeing in mind.”
It’s fulfilling to see tangible benefits for the families living next door.
Sarah Stokes
In the summer, Sarah’s oasis is Little River Canyon in Alabama. “As a kid, I loved jumping off the rocks into the cool clear water,” she said. “Now my own sons love it as well.”
Previous Experience
- Cahaba Conservationist of the Year
- Alabama Rivers Alliance River Hero
- 2021-2022 Alabama Leadership Initiative Class
- Profile in Service recipient, University of Alabama School of Law
- Rosen and Harwood, LLC, clerk
- Peace Corps, Paraguay, volunteer environmental educator
- J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude
- Masters, London School of Economics, merit
- B.A., Dartmouth College, cum laude
- With SELC since 2010