small-logo
ProfessionalsCapabilitiesInsights & NewsCareersLocations
About UsAlumniOpportunity & InclusionPro BonoCorporate Social Responsibility
Stay Connected:
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube
  1. Professionals

Sarah E. Harmon

Associate

Chicago

+1 312-558-7885

Let's Connect

Email
vCard
LinkedIn
  • Full Bio PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Sarah focuses her practice on product liability matters, mass tort cases, and other complex commercial disputes. Recognized as a “One to Watch” and “Key Lawyer” in the areas of product liability and mass tort defense, Sarah is highly regarded for her extensive experience managing complex, high-profile cases for major U.S. and international corporations in both state and federal courts. 

Sarah has handled multi-jurisdictional litigation in federal and state courts and represents companies, manufacturers, utilities, and their insureds in cases alleging personal or catastrophic injury and wrongful death due to toxic product exposure. She maintains an active pro bono practice, advocating for individuals seeking asylum in the United States, indigent defendants in criminal cases, and prisoners alleging mistreatment. Notably, she led the team that successfully fast-tracked the asylum application of a Ugandan man who endured severe torture due to his political affiliation, securing a grant of asylum within just five months.

Prior to joining Winston, Sarah was a key member of the team representing a major distributor in the opioid litigation. She also successfully represented numerous companies, including Fortune 100 companies, in product liability and mass tort cases, guiding them through all stages of litigation from initiation through appeals.

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

  • Secured motion to dismiss with prejudice in Cook County Chancery Court for a pharmaceutical company in an action brought by the Illinois Attorney General against various manufacturers and distributors. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had created a public nuisance and violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and that the distributors had failed to properly examine and report suspicious orders of opioid medications.
  • Successfully appealed the denial of a motion to transfer a case filed in St. Louis Circuit Court. After the trial court denied the motion to transfer for improper venue, Sarah filed a writ petition with the Eastern District of Missouri stating the trial court judge had applied an out-of-date venue statute and failed to timely make a ruling as required by statute. Following the Court of Appeals’ denial, Sarah filed a petition with the Missouri Supreme Court, which granted a preliminary writ and instructed plaintiff’s counsel to respond stating why the writ should not be made permanent. Plaintiff’s counsel declined to respond and conceded the venue issue, allowing the case to be transferred to a more favorable jurisdiction for the client.

Sarah was recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America in the areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022–2025). She was also recognized in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 US as a “Key Lawyer” in the area of Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices. 

  • Missouri Coalition for the Right to Counsel – Volunteer Attorney
  • American Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • Missouri Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Capabilities

Litigation/Trials
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
Class Actions & Group Litigation
Product Liability & Mass Torts
Insurance Litigation
Medical Devices

Key Matters

Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.

  • Secured motion to dismiss with prejudice in Cook County Chancery Court for a pharmaceutical company in an action brought by the Illinois Attorney General against various manufacturers and distributors. The plaintiff alleged that the defendants had created a public nuisance and violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and that the distributors had failed to properly examine and report suspicious orders of opioid medications.
  • Successfully appealed the denial of a motion to transfer a case filed in St. Louis Circuit Court. After the trial court denied the motion to transfer for improper venue, Sarah filed a writ petition with the Eastern District of Missouri stating the trial court judge had applied an out-of-date venue statute and failed to timely make a ruling as required by statute. Following the Court of Appeals’ denial, Sarah filed a petition with the Missouri Supreme Court, which granted a preliminary writ and instructed plaintiff’s counsel to respond stating why the writ should not be made permanent. Plaintiff’s counsel declined to respond and conceded the venue issue, allowing the case to be transferred to a more favorable jurisdiction for the client.

Credentials

Education

Sarah her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014, where she was the Senior Editor at Georgetown Journal of International Environmental Law. She received her B.A., cum laude, in political science and communications from Vanderbilt University in 2011. 

    Admissions
    • Missouri
    • Illinois

    Related Insights & News

    Blog
    EDNY Allows Expert’s Use of ChatGPT to Confirm Alternative Design in Product Liability Lawsuit

    May 8, 2025

    Blog
    Supreme Court Opens Door to Civil RICO Claims Arising from Personal Injury

    April 23, 2025

    Recognitions

    Winston Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2025

    August 15, 2024

    Blog
    Second Circuit Cites Macquarie in Affirming Dismissal of Putative Securities Class Action

    June 25, 2024

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Recognized in The Legal 500 U.S. 2024

    June 12, 2024

    Pro Bono In Action
    Winston Helps Ugandan Escape Tortured Past and Start a New Life in the United States

    November 30, 2023

    Blog
    Appeals Court Rules Courts Must Address Class Action Waivers Before Certifying Class

    September 20, 2023

    Recognitions
    Winston Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2024

    August 17, 2023

    Seminar/CLE
    Winston & Strawn’s Product & Mass Torts Summit 2023

    June 14, 2023

    Blog
    Rule 23(c)(4), Issue Certification, and Circuit Splits Throughout 2023

    April 13, 2023

    Recognitions
    Winston & Strawn Attorneys Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America 2023

    August 18, 2022

    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Litigation/Trials
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    Class Actions & Group Litigation
    Product Liability & Mass Torts
    Insurance Litigation
    Medical Devices
    Logo
    facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube

    Copyright © 2025. Winston & Strawn LLP

    AlumniCorporate Transparency Act Task ForceDEI Compliance Task ForceEqual Rights AmendmentLaw GlossaryThe Oval UpdateWinston MinutePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyFraud & Scam AlertsNoticesSubscribeAttorney Advertising