Sarah Thornton is an Associate Attorney at DDV Law, Ltd., where she represents older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their families in a wide range of matters involving estate planning, probate and estate administration, guardianship proceedings, and advocacy for children and young adults with disabilities in educational settings. Sarah is particularly passionate about helping families navigate the complexities of the special education system, including Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Section 504 planning and hearings. She is dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities receive the accommodations, services, and educational opportunities to which they are entitled, and she works closely with families to advocate effectively for their children.
Sarah earned her Juris Doctor from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2025. During law school she was an active member of the Society of Women in Law and developed strong skills in legal research, writing, and advocacy. She also served as a Grant Writing Intern for the Veteran's Legal Aid Society, where she researched funding opportunities and prepared grant applications to support the organization's mission of advocating for veterans.
She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, with a minor in Legal Studies, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2022.
Sarah brings prior legal experience from several clerkships. At Stotis & Baird Chartered she assisted with estate administration matters, and at Levin & Perconti she worked on litigation involving nursing home negligence and birth injury cases. She also previously clerked at DDV Law, Ltd., where she assisted with estate planning and guardianship matters and conducted nationwide research regarding statutory reforms affecting elder law practice.
Sarah is especially dedicated to advocacy for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan. Her work supporting families through IEP and Section 504 processes reflects her commitment to helping children and young adults access the educational services they need to thrive, build independence, and pursue meaningful opportunities.
Outside of her work at DDV Law, Sarah volunteers with Lawyers for Good Government through the Reproductive Health Legal Assistance Project, assisting providers and patients as they navigate evolving reproductive healthcare laws. In her free time she enjoys cooking and baking, listening to music, particularly Taylor Swift, and spending time with friends and family.
