Featured Practices
BUSINESS & FINANCIAL CRIMES
CYBER & INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CRIMES
ORGANIZED & CORRUPTION CRIMES
TAX CRIMES
#METOO INVESTIGATIONS & LITIGATION
SPORTS LAW DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
TITLE IX DEFENSE
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE DEFENSE
Sara Azari is a bi-coastal attorney with more than 20 years of experience advocating for clients in complex criminal, civil, and administrative matters. She provides strategic counsel and vigorous representation at every stage – from investigation through trial – delivering results in high-stakes and high-profile cases alike.
Sara represents individuals and entities in complex white-collar criminal matters, including cases involving cryptocurrency-related fraud; violations of embargo and sanctions statutes such as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA); tax, wire, bank, and real estate fraud; embezzlement and theft; and securities fraud. She also defends clients facing serious felony charges, including racketeering (RICO), narcotics offenses, sex crimes, child exploitation and pornography, and violent offenses. In addition, Sara is frequently retained by high-profile individuals facing allegations of sexual misconduct, arising in the context of the #MeToo movement.
Legal and Civic Leadership
For several years, Sara co-managed the legal clinic at First AME Church, offering pro bono legal services and direct representation to underserved and disenfranchised members of the community. She later founded the Expungement Clinic at Homeboy Industries, where she provided mentorship, oversight, and hands-on legal support to individuals seeking to clear their criminal records and reenter the community and workforce.
A lifelong advocate for justice and reform, Sara is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), where she has served on multiple committees. She is also a member of the International Bar Association, American Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, and the Women’s White Collar Defense Association.
Sought-After Media Commentator
Sara’s accomplished legal career has positioned her as a trusted and highly sought-after media commentator and legal analyst. For over two decades, she has served as a host and commentator across a broad spectrum of television programs, talk shows, national and cable news platforms, docuseries, and episodic crime shows. Renowned for her unfiltered, unbiased, and insightful legal perspective, Sara has been a frequent guest on CNN’s dayside and primetime broadcasts, and continues to provide expert analysis on NBC and ABC, as other major networks. She currently serves as the resident legal analyst for NewsNation, where she frequently appears on CUOMO, Banfield, and Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
In addition to her on-camera work, Sara is a published author and the host of The Presumption, a leading true crime podcast dedicated to examining the impact of media coverage on the presumption of innocence and other constitutional protections. The podcast delves into wrongful convictions and systemic failings, and provides nuanced legal analysis of headline legal cases.
A Background of Excellence
A proud UCLA alumna, Sara earned her J.D. from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. She began her legal career in big law at the esteemed international law firm Baker & McKenzie, where she served as an associate in the firm’s Rio de Janeiro office, handling complex international transactions as well as internal investigations and former FCPA matters.