Associate Sara Stappert has been accepted into the 2026-2027 cohort of ChiNEXT, United Way of Metro Chicago's premier program for early career professionals to develop a deeper understanding of Chicago's civic landscape. United Way has described ChiNEXT as central to its civic engagement strategy, aimed at cultivating the next generation of leaders who will shape better outcomes for Chicagoans.
Sara helps clients navigate internal and government-initiated investigations and corporate compliance matters across the manufacturing, healthcare, energy, and financial industries, and also defends complex, high-stakes commercial litigation in state and federal courts. She maintains an active pro bono practice focused on criminal defense, post-conviction litigation, and asylum applications — including post-conviction innocence work, having helped secure a client's full exoneration as a student attorney in the Michigan Innocence Clinic.
Sara's selection also extends a broader relationship between Jenner & Block and United Way. Founded in Chicago more than a century ago, the firm has made community involvement a defining part of its legacy — a commitment recognized this year with United Way's Corporate Leadership Award, presented at the Stronger Neighborhoods Awards Luncheon on May 28. Partner Andrew Vail has served as General Counsel for United Way of Metro Chicago since 2020, and Co-Managing Partner Randy Mehrberg serves on the organization's Board of Directors.