Partner
Boston
Email: sbryant@murthalaw.com
Phone: 617-457-4048
Fax: 617-482-3868
Download V-Card
Download Bio PDF
Bar & Court Admissions
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine
Education
- Boston College (J.D., cum laude, 2003)
- Eckerd College (B.A., with high honors, 1997)
Sara P. Bryant
Sara Bryant is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department and Construction Practice Group.
Sara Bryant represents clients ranging from regional businesses to Fortune 100 and ENR Top 10 companies in the areas of construction and business litigation. She has extensive experience in dispute resolution in all forms including mediation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, jury and non-jury trials.
In her construction practice, Sara represents construction managers, subcontractors and owners in state and federal courts in the trial and resolution of construction disputes on public and private projects. She handles matters involving allegations of breach of contract, defective work, mechanic’s liens and Chapter 93A violations. Sara is also involved in drafting and negotiating contracts and contract claims as well as securing lien and bond rights. In her business litigation practice, Sara represents clients on matters involving landlord/tenant and general business disputes, tort and product liability and insurance coverage.
Sara is the former President and founding member of the Boston Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction. Sara previously served as an officer of the Massachusetts Building Congress and was co-chair and co-founder of the MBC Women’s Network. Sara is also a member of CREW Boston (formerly New England Women in Real Estate) and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts. Sara has been selected as a Rising Star in the area of Construction Litigation from 2009-2015 by Massachusetts Super Lawyers.
Currently, Sara serves as Office Managing Partner of the Boston office.
Representative Transactions
- Obtained summary judgement for general contractor client in Federal District Court of Massachusetts defending against contract and tort claims from second-tier subcontractor on high profile New York project.
- Represented construction manager in 40-day bench trial against owner; judge returned decision in favor of client on counterclaim, including awarding Chapter 93A damages.
- On behalf of subcontractor client crafted and presented claims against general contractor for extra work, delay/impact and C. 149 § 29E prompt pay violations which resulted in successfully negotiated resolution and payment of claim with Owner participation.
- Defended general contractor from suit by subcontractor after subcontractor’s termination; successfully moved to dismiss owner, then after 6-day jury trial won defense verdict and 6-figure counterclaim against plaintiff.
- Represented construction manager in favorable resolution at mediation of 11-party dispute by condominium trustees alleging faulty workmanship and water infiltration.
- Successfully resolved at mediation significant dispute involving sophisticated construction manager on a major airport project.
- Successfully managed and resolved for general contractor client multiple subcontractor claims on challenging projects involving disputes with owner.
- Regularly secures and defends mechanic’s lien rights for general contractor and subcontractor clients.
- Counsels clients and speaks at trade associations on current trends in construction law including the Massachusetts Prompt Pay legislation and Integrated Project Delivery.
- Professional Women in Construction, Boston Chapter, Founding member and former President
- Massachusetts Building Congress, Vice President, 2015-2017
- American Bar Association, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
- Boston Bar Association
- New England Women in Real Estate (NEWIRE), Programs and Seminars Committee
- Associated General Contractors
- Eckerd College Alumni Association
- Listed as leading Construction lawyer in Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners-Publishing (Chambers.com)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction, 2022 (Copyright by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC)
- Chosen as Honoree for "Top Women of Law" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2018
- Holds an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- National Law Journal "Boston Rising Star" - 2014
- Massachusetts Super Lawyer, Rising Star, 2009-2015
- Law Clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2003-04)
- Judicial Intern, Supreme Court of the United States (1996)
- August 19, 2021 - 40 Murtha Cullina Attorneys Receive “Best Lawyers in America” Recognition
- May 21, 2021 - Murtha Cullina LLP Recognized by Chambers USA
- April 23, 2020 - Murtha Cullina LLP Recognized by Chambers USA
- October 10, 2019 - Sara P. Bryant Appointed President of Boston Chapter of Professional Women in Construction
- February 14, 2019 - Sara P. Bryant Named Vice President Of Boston Chapter of Professional Women in Construction
- July 26, 2018 - Sara P. Bryant Receives “Top Women of Law” Award From Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
- September 12, 2014 - National Law Journal Recognizes Sara P. Bryant as “Boston Rising Star”
- Murtha Cullina Hosts "Women Expanding Business" Event
- Murtha Cullina Names 2013 Partners
- June, 2021 - Sara Bryant was a speaker on "Understanding Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act" at the Boston Bar Association.
- May, 2020 - Sara Bryant served as a panelist on "Top Ten Return-To-Work FAQs" at the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
- April, 2019 - Sara Bryant presented "Risk Toolkit Series" at the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
- June 9, 2016 - Sara Bryant will be presenting an MCLE seminar entitled “25 Critical Cases Every Construction Lawyer Must Know” in Boston, MA
- December 2014 - Sara Bryant to present "An Ounce of Prevention: A Guide for Combating Fraud in Construction" at the Construction Superconference in Las Vegas, NV
- September 2014 - Sara Bryant will be a Panelist at the Boston Bar Association lunch: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Construction Cases
- May 2013 - Sara Bryant to speak at Integrated Project Delivery, Massachusetts Hospital Association, 7th Annual Hopsital Construction Conference
- May 2009 - Sara Bryant to present at Professional Women in Construction, CT on Integrated Project Delivery
Sara Bryant is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department and Construction Practice Group.
Sara Bryant represents clients ranging from regional businesses to Fortune 100 and ENR Top 10 companies in the areas of construction and business litigation. She has extensive experience in dispute resolution in all forms including mediation, arbitration, administrative proceedings, jury and non-jury trials.
In her construction practice, Sara represents construction managers, subcontractors and owners in state and federal courts in the trial and resolution of construction disputes on public and private projects. She handles matters involving allegations of breach of contract, defective work, mechanic’s liens and Chapter 93A violations. Sara is also involved in drafting and negotiating contracts and contract claims as well as securing lien and bond rights. In her business litigation practice, Sara represents clients on matters involving landlord/tenant and general business disputes, tort and product liability and insurance coverage.
Sara is the former President and founding member of the Boston Chapter of the Professional Women in Construction. Sara previously served as an officer of the Massachusetts Building Congress and was co-chair and co-founder of the MBC Women’s Network. Sara is also a member of CREW Boston (formerly New England Women in Real Estate) and the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts. Sara has been selected as a Rising Star in the area of Construction Litigation from 2009-2015 by Massachusetts Super Lawyers.
Currently, Sara serves as Office Managing Partner of the Boston office.
Representative Transactions
- Obtained summary judgement for general contractor client in Federal District Court of Massachusetts defending against contract and tort claims from second-tier subcontractor on high profile New York project.
- Represented construction manager in 40-day bench trial against owner; judge returned decision in favor of client on counterclaim, including awarding Chapter 93A damages.
- On behalf of subcontractor client crafted and presented claims against general contractor for extra work, delay/impact and C. 149 § 29E prompt pay violations which resulted in successfully negotiated resolution and payment of claim with Owner participation.
- Defended general contractor from suit by subcontractor after subcontractor’s termination; successfully moved to dismiss owner, then after 6-day jury trial won defense verdict and 6-figure counterclaim against plaintiff.
- Represented construction manager in favorable resolution at mediation of 11-party dispute by condominium trustees alleging faulty workmanship and water infiltration.
- Successfully resolved at mediation significant dispute involving sophisticated construction manager on a major airport project.
- Successfully managed and resolved for general contractor client multiple subcontractor claims on challenging projects involving disputes with owner.
- Regularly secures and defends mechanic’s lien rights for general contractor and subcontractor clients.
- Counsels clients and speaks at trade associations on current trends in construction law including the Massachusetts Prompt Pay legislation and Integrated Project Delivery.
- Professional Women in Construction, Boston Chapter, Founding member and former President
- Massachusetts Building Congress, Vice President, 2015-2017
- American Bar Association, Forum Committee on the Construction Industry
- Boston Bar Association
- New England Women in Real Estate (NEWIRE), Programs and Seminars Committee
- Associated General Contractors
- Eckerd College Alumni Association
- Listed as leading Construction lawyer in Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners-Publishing (Chambers.com)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Construction Law and Litigation - Construction, 2022 (Copyright by Woodward/White, Inc., Aiken, SC)
- Chosen as Honoree for "Top Women of Law" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, 2018
- Holds an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell
- National Law Journal "Boston Rising Star" - 2014
- Massachusetts Super Lawyer, Rising Star, 2009-2015
- Law Clerk to the Justices of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2003-04)
- Judicial Intern, Supreme Court of the United States (1996)
- August 19, 2021 - 40 Murtha Cullina Attorneys Receive “Best Lawyers in America” Recognition
- May 21, 2021 - Murtha Cullina LLP Recognized by Chambers USA
- April 23, 2020 - Murtha Cullina LLP Recognized by Chambers USA
- October 10, 2019 - Sara P. Bryant Appointed President of Boston Chapter of Professional Women in Construction
- February 14, 2019 - Sara P. Bryant Named Vice President Of Boston Chapter of Professional Women in Construction
- July 26, 2018 - Sara P. Bryant Receives “Top Women of Law” Award From Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly
- September 12, 2014 - National Law Journal Recognizes Sara P. Bryant as “Boston Rising Star”
- Murtha Cullina Hosts "Women Expanding Business" Event
- Murtha Cullina Names 2013 Partners
- June 22, 2022 - MA Appeals Court: Contractor's Pay Applications Deemed Approved for Owner's Failure to Comply with Prompt Pay Law
- January 6, 2021 - Construction Group News: Trial Court Strictly Construes Massachusetts Prompt Pay Law Against Owner
- May 18, 2020 - Construction Group News: Massachusetts Allows All Construction to Proceed Effective May 18, 2020, Provided There's Compliance with Mandatory Safety Standards
- April 1, 2020 - Construction Group News: Massachusetts COVID-19 Response: Governor Baker's 3-31-20 Order Narrows Definition of Essential Services to Limit Permitted Construction Activities
- March 26, 2020 - Construction Group News: Massachusetts COVID-19 Response: Governor Baker Issues Guidance for Construction as “Essential Services”
- June 21, 2018 - Construction Group News: Contractor's Intentional and Material Breach of Contract Does Not Automatically Bar Claim For Work Performed
- November 1, 2016 - Construction Group News: What Happens in Mediation Stays in Mediation
- August 16, 2016 - Construction Group News: Private Parties Powerless to Expand Scope of Court's Review of Arbitrator's Decision
- May 10, 2016 - Construction Law Group News: General Contractor's false certifications bar it from any recovery from Owner
- May 10, 2016 - Andrew Wailgum and Sara Bryant featured in New England Real Estate Journal
- January 26, 2016 - Construction Group News: Arbitrators' Award of Attorney's Fees Thrown Out Because the Parties' Agreement Did Not Provide for It
- January 13, 2016 - Construction Group News: Home Improvement Contractor Liable Under MGL c. 93A for Building Code Violations Despite Owner Directing Contractor to Perform Work in that Manner
- Construction Law Group News, November 2011
- Massachusetts Adopts a Prompt-Pay Law for Private Construction Projects
- June, 2021 - Sara Bryant was a speaker on "Understanding Massachusetts Prompt Pay Act" at the Boston Bar Association.
- May, 2020 - Sara Bryant served as a panelist on "Top Ten Return-To-Work FAQs" at the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
- April, 2019 - Sara Bryant presented "Risk Toolkit Series" at the Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts.
- June 9, 2016 - Sara Bryant will be presenting an MCLE seminar entitled “25 Critical Cases Every Construction Lawyer Must Know” in Boston, MA
- December 2014 - Sara Bryant to present "An Ounce of Prevention: A Guide for Combating Fraud in Construction" at the Construction Superconference in Las Vegas, NV
- September 2014 - Sara Bryant will be a Panelist at the Boston Bar Association lunch: Alternative Dispute Resolution for Construction Cases
- May 2013 - Sara Bryant to speak at Integrated Project Delivery, Massachusetts Hospital Association, 7th Annual Hopsital Construction Conference
- May 2009 - Sara Bryant to present at Professional Women in Construction, CT on Integrated Project Delivery
- Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine
- Boston College (J.D., cum laude, 2003)
- Eckerd College (B.A., with high honors, 1997)
