Focus of Practice

Consumer Protection (Fair Credit Reporting Act; Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; Consumer Protection Act/UDAP)

Legal Experience

I opened Law Office of SaraEllen Hutchison, PLLC in October 2010. The bulk of my practice has been individual plaintiff's claims under the FCRA, FDCPA, CPA, and other consumer statutes with issues of identity theft, consumer lending, banking and mortgages. Additionally, I have handled matters involving USERRA (military employment rights), student loans, bankruptcy, class actions, landlord-tenant, business opportunities, internet marketing, advertising, food labeling, and unfair trade practices generally. I have tried multiple cases in state and federal courts and been of record in a handful of appeals. Early career experience prior to October 2010 included, but was not limited to criminal law, municipal lobbying and some non-JD nonprofit work.

Court Admissions

Washington State, State of Alaska, United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Washington, United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington, United States District Court for the District of Alaska, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. I have been admitted pro hac vice to: the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, United States District Court for the Central District of California, United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, the State of Colorado, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Education

Juris Doctor, cum laude, Georgia State University College of Law class of December 2004 (Visiting 3L coursework completed at Seattle University). Bachelor of Arts, Interdisciplinary, magna cum laude, Eastern Washington University 1999 (with college freshman credits obtained at Washington State University 1996-1997 school year transferred to EWU). The focus areas of my interdisciplinary B.A. were Journalism and English. I completed some post-baccalaureate and masters level coursework following college and before entering law school. Completed Mediating the Litigated Case 40-hour mediation training, Pepperdine University, January 2025. I completed the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers college in July 2012. Additional trainings and certifications relevant to the skills of a mediator include: Certified Professional Coach, The Life Coach School, September 2020; Certified Advanced Deep Dive Coach, Master Coach Bev Aron, December 2021; Professional Psychodrama Training Workshop with John Nolte & Kaitlin Larimer, 2014, Corbett, OR

Professional Associations

National Association of Consumer Advocates since 2011.

ADR Training

Mediating the Litigated Case 40-hour mediation training, Pepperdine University, January 2025.

ADR Experience

As an advocate, I have participated in multiple private mediations, and in a few settlement conferences. As an advocate, I have successfully negotiated the resolution of many cases.

ADR Practice Areas

Antitrust/Trade Regulation, Banking, Consumer Protection, Contracts, Financial