At Bedell, we uphold the core values of legal excellence and serving the community we call home. After a year with the firm, attorney Sarah Niss is already setting a great example for our team and the broader Jacksonville legal community.
Background
Sarah grew up in Rye, New York, and later completed her undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She then joined Teach For America in Jacksonville, where she taught for four years.
This early career experience profoundly influenced her, providing a deep understanding of the challenges that many individuals and communities face. “Teaching is really hard; it’s the hardest job,” she said. “But, it gave me resiliency and taught me many life lessons. It’s what made me want to work in the service of others.”
Sarah’s love for writing, which was nurtured by her undergraduate experience in journalism, ultimately merged with her desire to make a difference through the legal profession.
The Path to Civil Litigation
Sarah’s legal career was driven by a strong sense of purpose, and her transition from teaching was sparked by her work at the Jacksonville Juvenile Detention Facility. “I loved working with those kids,” she said. “My time there inspired me to use my skills differently in the legal profession.”
She then attended law school at the University of Florida. Her passion for the law led her to the field of civil litigation, particularly commercial litigation. She gained experience through her judicial internship with Judge Howard in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville. She also worked as a SLIP Intern with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch.
Role at the Bedell Firm
Sarah joined Bedell in 2022. She works on a wide range of cases, including contract, trademark, and employment law matters. “Our cases are challenging and interesting on an intellectual level,” she said. “It’s about creative problem-solving and finding the best path forward for our clients”.
In her first year with the firm, Sarah has appreciated the team-focused culture that places great value on collaboration and mutual support. “With Bedell being a smaller firm, I get to see how the attorneys here operate daily,” she said. “Everyone is very willing to help each other. The smaller setting has allowed me to be hands-on with many of our cases from beginning to end.”
As a new attorney at Bedell, her goal is to continue expanding her contributions and value to the firm, its cases, and its clients. “I am proud of how much I’ve grown in my practice over the past year,” said Sarah. “I credit that to being in this environment where I can learn from the pros every day.”
Commitment to Community Service
Sarah’s dedication to community service includes her participation in the Jacksonville Guardian ad Litem program. It’s one way she stays committed to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
“Community service and pro bono work is very important to me,” she said. “I am grateful that Bedell is supportive in letting us follow projects and work independently on the things we are passionate about.”
Sarah actively participates in the Jacksonville Bar Association Young Lawyers Section by planning service projects that connect new legal professionals with various community organizations. She also serves on Jacksonville’s Teach For America advisory board to help support local teachers.
Personal Background
Sarah lives with her husband and two dogs, Lola and Roxy. She enjoys sports, running, going to the beach, and spending time with friends and family. As she continues to serve her community and thrive in the legal profession, we’re grateful for Sarah’s commitment to serving her clients and community here at Bedell.
The Bedell Firm
As the oldest law firm in continuous existence in the State of Florida, the Bedell Firm has a long-standing history of providing exceptional legal services to our clients. Our core practice areas include civil litigation, criminal defense, appellate litigation and family law litigation. If you have a legal matter that requires a depth of experience in the matter, contact the Bedell Firm at (904) 353-0211.
