Sara Johnson Rothman

Pennsylvanian by choice.

Sara grew up in Nebraska.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History, Sara moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University - Beasley School of Law. Although she applied to several law schools across the country, Sara's love for American history drew her to Pennsylvania, the birthplace of American democracy. At Temple Law, she honed trial advocacy skills that led her to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. After completing an internship in 2004 and subsequently graduating Temple Law the following year, Sara joined the Bucks DA’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney. 

As a prosecutor, Sara specialized in the prosecution of sexual abuse of children and domestic abuse. She gave a voice to the most vulnerable victims while appreciating the enormous responsibility that comes with prosecutorial discretion. Sara also led the overhaul of the DA Office’s first-time offender program for nonviolent crimes. 

In 2012, after the birth of her second child, Sara made the difficult decision to leave the Bucks DAO. However, her commitment to community service did not subside and Sara was appointed to the Upper Dublin School Board in February 2014. She was subsequently elected in November 2015 to a four (4) year term.

As an Upper Dublin School Board member, Sara has served on the District’s contract negotiating teams, chairs the Policy Committee, and is a member of the Operations Committee. Under her leadership, the School District of Upper Dublin updated hundreds of policies and administrative regulations as well as expanding its anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies for both students and employees to include gender identity and gender expression, and adopting a policy protecting transgender and gender expansive students.

One of her greatest accomplishments on the Board to date is improving the Board’s relationship with the Upper Dublin Education Association (the Teachers' Union). Sara was instrumental in resolving the contentious contract negotiation with the Teachers' Union in 2015 and continues to serve as a point of contact between the Board and the Teachers' Union.  

In addition to her School Board responsibilities, Sara is a practicing attorney with the law firm Rudolph Clarke, LLC specializing in Education Law. 

She and her husband live in Upper Dublin Township with their very active two children, who attend public school. Sara is a highly involved mother to her son and daughter; from homework, to practices and games, meets, and recitals, to being a member of their school's PTA.

Armed with her experiences in criminal justice and education, Sara is ready to apply her leadership and analytical skills to a new challenge.  As someone who listens to all stakeholders before taking action, she believes that progress comes through fostering relationships with people, even when viewpoints don’t always align.  As a principled and empathetic public servant, Sara is willing to work alongside anyone with a genuine desire to improve public policy for the common good.