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Sadina Montani

Partner | She/Her/Hers
Partner | She/Her/Hers
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Areas of Focus

Overview

Employers are facing increasingly complex compliance, cultural, and litigation matters—and Sadina Montani is a trusted adviser in each of these areas. Privately held and publicly traded corporations, think tanks, foundations, retailers, and nonprofits rely on her to help navigate the full range of employment-related issues.

Sadina serves as a trusted adviser for employers tackling complex compliance issues—particularly across multiple jurisdictions as the workforce becomes increasingly geographically dispersed. She conducts and guides clients through internal investigations and has led investigations into—and helped clients manage—sensitive and high-level allegations of sexual harassment.

When litigation is necessary, Sadina represents employers in state and federal courts and before various administrative agencies, defending claims of race, sex, disability, and age discrimination; wrongful termination; wage and hour violations (including class actions); and wage payment claims. She has first-chair and second-chair trial experience and has successfully argued summary judgment and other substantive and procedural motions.

Sadina is President-Elect of the D.C. Bar Assocation. She is also is a past president of the Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia, serving during the 2020–2021 bar year. In her role as WBADC immediate past president, she led the association’s work on an amicus brief submitted in the Dobbs case jointly by the WBADC, the National Association of Women Lawyers, and Women Lawyers on Guard. The amicus brief was supported by approximately 30 other organizations dedicated to supporting women lawyers and law students. Sadina also serves as co-chair for Crowell’s Women’s Leadership Initiative.

Sadina serves as pro bono counsel for a number of nonprofit organizations that focus on education, the environment, and various social services. In 2019, she was awarded the Tom Nees Award for Exceptional Service by Community of Hope, a nonprofit organization pursuing a mission to aid low-income families experiencing homelessness and struggling with health care needs, in recognition of her long-standing, deeply impactful service to the women, men, and children who turn to Community of Hope for help. Additionally, Sadina has been recognized by the D.C. Bar Association for her commitment to pro bono work.

An experienced nonprofit board member, Sadina currently serves as director and chief governance officer of Ayuda, and previously served as treasurer, director, and president of the WBADC board, and as director, governance chair, and board chair of the Greater D.C. Diaper Bank. She also serves on the advisory board of Bear Analytics.

Prior to entering private practice, Sadina was a freelance musician and performed with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, and the South Bend Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Career & Education

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    • Western Michigan University, B.M., cum laude, 2002
    • The George Washington University, M.A., cum laude, 2005
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2008
    • Western Michigan University, B.M., cum laude, 2002
    • The George Washington University, M.A., cum laude, 2005
    • The George Washington University Law School, J.D., 2008

    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • District of Columbia
    • Maryland
    • Virginia
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

  • Professional Activities and Memberships

    • District of Columbia Bar
      • President-Elect, 2024
      • Labor and Employment Section, Member
      • John Payton Leadership Academy, Inaugural Class, 2013
      • Screening Committee, 2015 - 2016
      • Nominations Committee, Chair, 2015
      • Leadership Development Committee, 2017 - 2020
    • Ayuda, Chief Governance Officer, Board of Directors
    • Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia
      • Chair, Advocacy Committee, 2021-2022
      • President, 2020-2021
      • President-Elect, 2019-2020
      • Treasurer, 2016 - 2017
      • Board Member, 2015 - 2022
      • Membership Committee, Co-Chair, 2011 - 2015
    • Greater D.C. Diaper Bank
      • Chair, Board of Directors, 2019 - 2022
      • Board of Directors, 2017 - 2024
    • Greater Washington Area Chapter (GWAC), Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association, Member
    • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, Member

    Professional Activities and Memberships

    • District of Columbia Bar
      • President-Elect, 2024
      • Labor and Employment Section, Member
      • John Payton Leadership Academy, Inaugural Class, 2013
      • Screening Committee, 2015 - 2016
      • Nominations Committee, Chair, 2015
      • Leadership Development Committee, 2017 - 2020
    • Ayuda, Chief Governance Officer, Board of Directors
    • Women’s Bar Association of the District of Columbia
      • Chair, Advocacy Committee, 2021-2022
      • President, 2020-2021
      • President-Elect, 2019-2020
      • Treasurer, 2016 - 2017
      • Board Member, 2015 - 2022
      • Membership Committee, Co-Chair, 2011 - 2015
    • Greater D.C. Diaper Bank
      • Chair, Board of Directors, 2019 - 2022
      • Board of Directors, 2017 - 2024
    • Greater Washington Area Chapter (GWAC), Women Lawyers Division, National Bar Association, Member
    • American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, Member

Sadina's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.26.24

The Evolving Landscape of Title IX Protections in Education

On August 1, 2024, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, one of the final Title IX regulations of the U.S. Department of Education released on April 19, 2024, will go into effect. The new regulations address the previous administration’s rollback of Title IX protections, and include, among other things, an expanded definition of sex discrimination that provides new protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. For example, the new rules prohibit schools that receive federal funding from barring transgender students’ use of pronouns that correspond to their gender identities, or denying transgender students access to facilities, like locker rooms and restrooms, that match their gender identities. Other notable changes in the new regulations include the following: (1) protection from all sex-based harassment and discrimination, including that based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy or related conditions; (2) broadening the definition of “hostile environment” harassment to include conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in the education program or activity; (3) increased accountability by requiring schools to take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in their education programs or activities, prevent reoccurrence, and remedy its effects; and (4) protection against retaliation for students, employees, and others who exercise their Title IX rights....

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Representative Matters

  • Achieved dismissal of multiple lawsuits challenging retailer’s enforcement of mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Defended an international commercial real estate company against claims of federal and state wage and hour violations in three related putative class actions in federal court in California, Colorado, and Washington, D.C.
  • Successfully defended large government contractor against employee nonsolicitation and tortious interference claims; obtained complete defense award, including assessment of significant attorneys' fees, costs, and arbitrator fees against claimant.
  • Won a jury trial in federal court in Miami, Florida on behalf of a global corporation in which a former employee claimed age discrimination, and subsequent appeal before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Achieved dismissal of a lawsuit in state court in Tampa, Florida on behalf of a global technology company where a former employee claimed race discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
  • Won summary judgment in Maryland state court on behalf of a global corporation defending against a claim related to the miscalculation of commission payments.
  • Won summary judgment in federal court in Montgomery County, Maryland on behalf of a government contractor in which a former employee claimed gender discrimination and retaliation.
  • Represent federal contractors in connection with defense of Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower and False Claims Act claims.
  • Defended large radiology group and individual physicians against claims by former employed physician of discrimination, defamation, and tortious interference with a future employment opportunity; obtained complete defense award in favor of all respondents on all counts, including assessment of all arbitrator fees and costs against claimant.

Sadina's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.26.24

The Evolving Landscape of Title IX Protections in Education

On August 1, 2024, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, one of the final Title IX regulations of the U.S. Department of Education released on April 19, 2024, will go into effect. The new regulations address the previous administration’s rollback of Title IX protections, and include, among other things, an expanded definition of sex discrimination that provides new protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. For example, the new rules prohibit schools that receive federal funding from barring transgender students’ use of pronouns that correspond to their gender identities, or denying transgender students access to facilities, like locker rooms and restrooms, that match their gender identities. Other notable changes in the new regulations include the following: (1) protection from all sex-based harassment and discrimination, including that based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy or related conditions; (2) broadening the definition of “hostile environment” harassment to include conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in the education program or activity; (3) increased accountability by requiring schools to take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in their education programs or activities, prevent reoccurrence, and remedy its effects; and (4) protection against retaliation for students, employees, and others who exercise their Title IX rights....

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Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.26.24

The Evolving Landscape of Title IX Protections in Education

Press Coverage | 06.07.24

Crowell & Moring Partner Named DC Bar President-Elect

Firm News | 4 min read | 06.07.24

D.C. Bar Elects Crowell & Moring Partner Sadina Montani President-Elect

Press Coverage | 05.03.24

President-Elect Candidates Grover, Montani Share Their Visions for the Bar
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Practices

Industries

Sadina's Insights

Client Alert | 4 min read | 06.26.24

The Evolving Landscape of Title IX Protections in Education

On August 1, 2024, Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance, one of the final Title IX regulations of the U.S. Department of Education released on April 19, 2024, will go into effect. The new regulations address the previous administration’s rollback of Title IX protections, and include, among other things, an expanded definition of sex discrimination that provides new protections for LGBTQ+ individuals against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. For example, the new rules prohibit schools that receive federal funding from barring transgender students’ use of pronouns that correspond to their gender identities, or denying transgender students access to facilities, like locker rooms and restrooms, that match their gender identities. Other notable changes in the new regulations include the following: (1) protection from all sex-based harassment and discrimination, including that based on sex stereotypes, sexual orientation, gender identity, or pregnancy or related conditions; (2) broadening the definition of “hostile environment” harassment to include conduct that is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in the education program or activity; (3) increased accountability by requiring schools to take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in their education programs or activities, prevent reoccurrence, and remedy its effects; and (4) protection against retaliation for students, employees, and others who exercise their Title IX rights....

View All Insights