Sara Cotten

Ridgeland

Originally from the quaint, small town of Water Valley, MS, Sara attended the University of Mississippi where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Psychology. She finished law school at Miles College School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama and became licensed to practice law. The opportunity to be the Case Referral Coordinator at the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project (MVLP) coupled with marrying her husband, Clifton, brought her to the Jackson area. Sara and Clifton are kept active, in part, by their three daughters.

After almost 10 years as the referral coordinator with MVLP, Sara was named Development (Clinic) Coordinator in 2021 where she has worked to streamline and enhance the ways MVLP provides legal services to eligible Mississippians.

Sara has served in a variety of capacities in local and state service organizations. She is the long-standing Executive Director of Jackson Young Lawyers and is currently active in leadership with the Junior League of Jackson. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, the Edgewood Community Consulting Organization, Junior Auxiliary of Madison County, and the McWillie Parent Teacher Association. She has been active as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission.

Sara’s entire professional career and personal life has been dedicated to public interest and service to aspiring communities. She has passion for using her experiences and relationships to help bring awareness to resources that can move people one step further in a positive direction.