Sarah Dohoney Byrne

Sarah has years of experience representing survivors of sex and labor trafficking and is nationally recognized for her work in combatting human trafficking. Sarah is a frequent conference speaker and advocate for legislative change in support of trafficking victims. She is a founding member of the National Survivor Law Collective, a national network of trauma-informed lawyers providing legal aid to survivors. Representing MVA as a participating member, Sarah works with the United Nation’s Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking (“FAST”) Initiative to increase survivor access to financial services and guide banks on the Survivor Inclusion Initiative.

Regulatory interest in preventing and identifying human trafficking has led many clients to Sarah for institutional training and advice on developing anti-trafficking and survivor support programs, and compliance with related human rights law and regulation. 

Notable

• 2024 State of North Carolina Outstanding Service and Dedication to Ending Human Trafficking Award Recipient

• Named to The American Lawyer South Trailblazers list, 2022

• Co-champion, Charlotte Pro Bono Triage, September 2019-present
• North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission, Legislative Committee, 2020
• Presents to governmental bodies and professional groups on human trafficking and victims’ legal needs
• Founding Member, National Survivor Law Collective 
• North Carolina Pro Bono Honor Society, 2017-2023

News

Insights

Publications

• Co-author, "Modern slavery survivors need support from more financial institutions", American Banker, January 2024
• Co-author, "Meeting The Legal Aid Needs Of Human Trafficking Survivors", Law360, April 2023
• Co-author, "It’s Time to Rectify the Unconscionable Burden Placed on Sex-Trafficked Girls", JD Supra, October 2022
• Co-author, "A Penumbra of Rights at Risk: Human Trafficking Victims’ Rights in Federal Criminal Cases", Boston University Law School Public Interest Law Journal Volume 31.2- Symposium 2022, April 2022

• Co-author, "Can New US Law Help Increase Financial Recovery and Reintegration of Survivors of Human Trafficking?", United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, January 2022

• Co-author, “Human Rights-Focused Lending Models Can Curb Trafficking”, Law360, August 2021 
• Author, “Financial institutions are poised to take next step in combatting human trafficking,” Thomson Reuters Institute, January 2021
• Author, MVA White Collar Defense, Investigations, and Regulatory Advice Blog, 2020, Articles:
  • “Modern Slavery Statement Guidance – Note to Financial Institutions”
  • “House Financial Services Subcommittee Tackles Trafficking Prevention in Financial Systems”
  • “Human Trafficking Awareness  – What Financial Institutions Need to Know”
  • “Fall 2020 Brings Increased Regulatory Focus on Financial Institution Detection of Human Trafficking”
• Featured in Charlotte Magazine for leadership of Human Trafficking Pro Bono Project, 2020
• Author, “A Law Firm Guide to Helping Victims Of Human Trafficking,” Law360, August 2017
• Author, “Human Trafficking Persists, But Firms Can Help,” The National Law Journal, August 2016
• Author, “Meeting the Legal Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors,” Wake Forest Law Review, Combatting Human Trafficking: Current Trends and Cutting Edge Issues, 2016