Sarah Hart Charette
Top rated Medical Malpractice attorney in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Gross McGinley, LLP
Practice areas: Medical Malpractice, Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Pennsylvania since: 2012
Education: Pennsylvania State University The Dickinson School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2019 - 2026 Sarah Hart Charette is a partner at Gross McGinley, Chair of the Criminal Defense Practice Group, and Co-Chair of the Medical Malpractice Group. Born and raised in Emmaus, Sarah has deep roots in the Lehigh Valley and has been an integral part of Gross McGinley’s Allentown office for the past decade.
As Co-Chair of the Medical Malpractice Group, Sarah leverages her extensive litigation experience to counsel individual medical professionals, hospitals, and health networks on complex professional liability issues. Her significant trial and arbitration experience has proven invaluable in achieving noteworthy success, including several defense verdicts. Sarah regularly participates in pretrial hearings, depositions, preparation of expert witnesses, and trials, providing clarity to clients navigating the often confusing and overwhelming legal process.
Drawing from her background as a former Assistant District Attorney in Berks and Lebanon Counties, Sarah leads the firm’s Criminal Defense practice. She has conducted numerous bench and jury trials involving a wide range of cases, from drug offenses and DUIs to sexual assault and domestic violence.
Sarah’s commitment to the legal community extends beyond her practice. As current President of the Bar Association of Lehigh County, she is dedicated to diversifying the association and ensuring its continued relevance. With an eye toward the future, Sarah focuses on attracting younger members while respecting the organization’s rich history.
Recognized for her achievements, Sarah has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Rising Star six consecutive years, a distinction reserved for no more than 2.5% of young attorneys in the state.
Sarah’s attention to detail, litigation prowess, and deep commitment to her clients and community make her a valuable asset to Gross McGinley and the Lehigh Valley legal landscape.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Defense, Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Birth Injury, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Debt, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dental Malpractice, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, False Accusations, Felony, Informed Consent, Juvenile Delinquency, Medical Malpractice, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 50% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Defense
- 50% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 2012, Pennsylvania
Professional Webpage: https://www.grossmcginley.com/people/sarah-hart-charette/
Bar / Professional Activity
- President of the Bar Association of Lehigh County: As current President of the Bar Association of Lehigh County, Sarah Hart Charette is dedicated to diversifying the association and ensuring its continued relevance. With an eye toward the future, Sarah focuses on attracting younger members while respecting the organization’s rich history., 2025
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals-Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court-Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- Bar Association of Lehigh County, Board of Directors, 2020
- Bar Association of Lehigh County, Member, 2020
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, 2020
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Dismissal of all charges for a domestic and DUI case following a habeas hearing at the Court of Common Pleas
- Advocated for candidates to be considered for ARD that would typically be deemed ineligible, 2019.
- Obtained state probation for a felony offense carrying a significant incarceration, 2019.
- Achieved a mitigated range sentence where the District Attorney was seeking top of the standard range, 2019.
- Reduced a misdemeanor of fleeing and eluding to a traffic citation, 2018.
- Assisted client in receiving only five years state probation for felony possession with intent to deliver marijuana charge that carries a standard guideline range of 9-16 months incarceration for a minimum sentence, 2018.
Videos
- As Pennsylvania legislators consider the legalization of recreational marijuana, learn what the current law is, and what to expect should you violate it., Marijuana law in PA, 2021
- So, you get pulled over and just want to pay a fine and be done with your traffic citation. But paying the fine means you are pleading guilty. Over time, types of traffic citations or repeated traffic offenses can have larger impacts, even years later. Criminal Defense Attorney Sarah Hart Charette addresses possible penalties like points, fines, license suspension, and even incarceration., 2021, PA Traffic Citations
Pro bono / Community Service
- Bar Association of Lehigh County, Treasurer and Board Member
- Emmaus Main Street Partners, Solicitor and Board Member
- East Penn Chamber of Commerce, Solicitor and Board Member
- March of Dimes, co-chair of executive leadership team, Lehigh Valley March of Dimes walk benefitting March of Dimes Foundation Northeastern PA, 2019
- Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Young Professional's Council, Board of Directors, 2018
- Emmaus Public Library, Board of Trustees, 2020
Educational Background
- Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School of Law, J.D., 2012
- Gettysburg College, B.A., cum laude, 2009
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- “Board Leaders of Tomorrow: Let’s Talk Age Diversity”, GLVCC Young Professionals Council, December 2017, https://www.grossmcginley.com/resources/attorney-news/sarah-hart-discusses-age-diversity-for-nonprofits/
- Attorney Privilege in Medical Malpractice Cases: How Far Can It Reach? https://www.law.com/thelegalintelligencer/2018/04/07/attorney-privilege-in-medical-malpractice-cases-how-far-can-it-reach/
- Michael Blum and Sarah Hart Present on HIPAA and Medical Records, https://www.grossmcginley.com/resources/events/michael-blum-and-sarah-hart-present-on-hipaa-and-medical-records/
- Litigation Group Presents on Evidence to Local Bar Associations, https://www.grossmcginley.com/resources/news/litigation-group-presents-on-evidence-to-local-bar-associations/
- During the one-hour course, Gross McGinley’s experienced litigators reviewed the top five evidentiary rules that should be at the forefront of an attorney’s mind when prepping for trial including hearsay, impeachment, damages, privilege, and expert qualifications. Their presentation provided an overview of each topic and how each apply inside and outside of the courtroom. Our litigators also provided suggested references for reviewing evidentiary procedure without attendees having to crack open their old law school textbooks., Co-Presenter, Top Five Evidentiary Pitfalls at Trial, Northampton County Bar Association, Bar Association of Lehigh County, Legal, 2017
- Barry Goldwater once said, “the income tax created more criminals than any other single act of government.” The Internal Revenue Service estimates that approximately 83.6% of taxes are actually paid voluntarily and on time each year. The remaining 16.4% amounts to roughly $441 billion of missing tax revenue. When all is said and done, after late payments and enforcement efforts are considered, the “tax gap” is estimated to be $381 billion. So – what should you do if you receive a Notice from the IRS? Attorneys Sarah Hart Charette and R. Nicholas Nanovic share insights about civil tax fraud (IRC §6663), criminal tax fraud (IRC §7206), and tax evasion (IRC §7201)., Co-Author, Tax Fraud – The One Time You Should Not Live Like Martha Stewart, Network Magazine, 2021
- The presentation, entitled “Medical Records and HIPAA: What You Need to Know”, described the important role medical administrators play in managing HIPAA requirements, electronic medical records, and ensuring their staff is compliant with the law. The presentation provided guidance for medical administrators on the legalities of a medical releases including the challenges surrounding subpoenas, requests for minor records, custody/guardianship issues, Powers of Attorney, medical vs. mental health records, and more. Local PAHCOM members found it to be a great opportunity to learn how to handle these requests and learn about some real world examples of medical records gone wrong., Co-Presenter, Medical Records and HIPAA: What You Need to Know, Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM), Lehigh Valley Chapter., Health Care, 2017
- As courts were closed during the coronavirus, Sarah Hart Charette provided insights into the impact on criminal cases and those about to complete a prison sentence.... Without juries or open courtrooms, defendants in criminal cases can’t have a speedy trial. Defense lawyers are watching closely and bracing for possible appeals, said attorney Sarah Hart Charette, also of Gross McGinley. “This type of time suspension is largely unprecedented in the Pennsylvania judicial system,” Hart Charette said. “Where this will most likely come to a head is a defendant who is currently incarcerated and awaiting trial, since under [the speedy trial rule] a defendant cannot be held in pretrial incarceration in excess of 180 days." Hart Charette said her main concern is that clients who are in jail awaiting trial could end up spending an excessive time behind bars due to the shutdown. Officials in Lehigh and Northampton said last week that they had lowered populations in both facilities by releasing and diverting low-risk defendants., Interviewee, Pennsylvania courts to remain closed to public through April 30 to stem coronavirus; evictions halted statewide, The Morning Call, Criminal Justice, 2020
- Other than the fact that all marijuana is a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act, and illegal at the federal level, there is nothing simple and straight forward about the law on marijuana use in Pennsylvania (or in any part of the country) right now. From law enforcement to business owners, there is a struggle to understand what is legal as courts and agencies are hard-pressed to keep up with the legalization of marijuana and the conflict between state and federal laws., Co-author, Passing the Smell Test – How Does it Work When it Comes to Medical Marijuana, Network Magazine, Legal, Criminal Justice, 2019
- Throughout the course of medical malpractice cases, depositions are a key component of the process of discovery. In these cases, it is common practice for defense counsel to seek the depositions of family members of named plaintiffs. These depositions can provide crucial information regarding firsthand knowledge of the medical treatment at issue as well as illuminating evidence regarding causation and alleged damages., Author, "Attorney Privilege in Medical Malpractice Cases: How Far Can It Reach?", The Legal Intelligencer, Health Care, Legal, 2018
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Promoted to Partner, 2020
Honors
- 2019-2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers® Rising Stars
- Top Lawyers in the Lehigh Valley, "One of the Best - Malpractice, Criminal", The Morning Call, 2025
- Forty Under 40, Lehigh Valley Business, 2022
- Women of Influence, Lehigh Valley Business, 2022
Industry Groups
- Healthcare
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2019 - 2026
