Sarah A. McManes is an associate attorney at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers and a seasoned advocate that approaches her practice from a client-centered perspective.
Prior to joining the Graves McLain team in early 2025, Sarah worked with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma where she represented dozens of individuals accused of violating federal law on matters spanning white collar/fraud offenses, interstate commerce offenses, violent offenses, sexual assault, and other major crimes in Indian Country. Sarah zealously defended her clients from the beginning stages of the criminal investigation through sentencing. She successfully litigated constitutional and jurisdictional issues, prevailing on motions to suppress and motions to dismiss, and securing fair and favorable results for her clients through effective investigation, preparation of mitigation, and submission of sentencing materials. She gained federal jury trial experience and took a 12-count indictment to verdict, earning dismissal of 3 counts at the close of the government’s case in chief through vigorous cross examination and strategic use of evidentiary objections.
She also previously represented hundreds of criminal defendants at the Tulsa County Public Defender’s Office. Taking a holistic approach to her representation, she often found creative solutions within the legal system that both served her clients and provided proper retribution for the offense. This typically helped to address things like underlying trauma, mental health diagnoses, and substance abuse with the aim of preventing recidivism.
Sarah is exceptionally skilled at negotiation and creative problem solving, and a fierce advocate in the courtroom. Her substantial experience with jury trials has made her well-versed in courtroom procedure.
Sarah earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in 2015, where she majored in political science. She went on to graduate with the highest honors from the University of Tulsa College of Law in 2019.
