Sarah S. Murdough

Sarah S. Murdough, a Member of Sulloway & Hollis, focuses her practice in the representation of medical professionals, insurance providers, and school districts. She represents hospitals and medical providers in medical malpractice actions at the trial and appellate levels and before administrative boards and agencies in connection with professional licensing and disciplinary issues. She also counsels health care clients regarding compliance, privacy and security, credentialing and privileging, and risk management practices.

For over 20 years, Ms. Murdough has represented property & casualty and professional liability insurers in coverage matters and bad faith claims in both New Hampshire and Vermont. She focuses her expertise on policy coverage analysis to support resolution of coverage disputes early where possible, up through the prosecution and defense of declaratory judgment actions in the trial and appellate courts.

She counsels and represents school districts on a wide variety of issues, including special education, student residency, student records and discipline, “Right-to-Know” requests, and school district governance and policies.

Before joining the firm in 1995, Ms. Murdough served as a Law Clerk for the Superior, District and Family Courts of Vermont.

Areas of Practice

Health Care
School Law
Insurance Coverage

Bar Admissions

New Hampshire, 1994
Vermont, 1995
U.S. District Court District of New Hampshire
U.S. District Court District of Vermont
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit

Education

University of Maine School of Law, Portland, Maine
J.D. cum laude
Honors: Member, Moot Court Board
Law Review: University of Maine Law Review, Editor

Yale University
A.B. magna cum laude

News & Announcements

• Several Sulloway Attorneys Selected “The Best Lawyers in America”

Representative Matters

• Secured New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmance of summary judgment in favor of insurer finding that there was no duty to defend or indemnify insured.  Allegations of reckless, wanton or willful acts were “inherently injurious” conduct and therefore did not constitute an occurrence under the homeowner’s and umbrella insurance policies.  Amica v. Mutrie, 167 N.H. 108 (2014)
• Represented health care organization and professional liability insurer regarding scope of medical professional liability administrative practice coverage
• Represented homeowners insurers in New Hampshire and Vermont regarding scope of coverage for negligent misrepresentation claims arising out of the sale of a home
• Counsel insurers regarding their duty to defend, effective means to reserve their rights under New Hampshire and Vermont law, and strategy to address potential liability for covered and non-covered claims in underlying litigation
• Advise personal auto liability insurers regarding factors used to determine whether individual is a “resident of the household” in order to establish status as an “insured”

Published Works

• Co-author – New Hampshire Chapter of the DRI 2013 Reservation of Rights Compendium
• Adverse Event Reporting
• Brief Comments on New Hampshire Privacy/Security
• Health Care Reform Part IV: “Grandfathered Plans”
• HIPAA Alert: Omnibus Final Rule Issued
• Medicare Section 111 Reporting: Risk Management
• Supreme Court Further Defines Consumer Protection Act Claims

Professional Associations and Memberships

• New Hampshire Bar Association’s Health Law Section, Member
• New Hampshire Council of School Attorneys, Chair
• National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, Member

Past Employment Positions

• Lieutenant, United States Navy