Sara M. Gallagher

I joined Montana & Welch in 2013. My practice covers general governance matters for units of local government and nonprofit entities. I have significant experience with Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Open Meetings Act (OMA), about which I counsel clients on a daily basis involving compliance, and records retention laws and management. I further specialize in client policy development, with a particular focus on law enforcement matters, social media issues, labor and employment policy, and school district policies and procedures. 

I also serve as counsel to candidates, electoral boards, and public bodies on election and campaign finance issues, including ballot access, voter referenda, reporting and disclosure requirements, and many other matters related to the election process. I have served as counsel to several local electoral boards and have experience litigating election matters in Illinois courts and before the Illinois State Board of Elections, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, and several county electoral boards.

Co-Author, Chapter 5: “Enforcement Under the Freedom of Information Act,” Sunshine Laws, Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education (IICLE).