Meet the Team

Sarah received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. After a career in sales and marketing, she attended Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, and obtained her Juris Doctorate and a Certificate in Advocacy and Problem-Solving at Hamline’s top-ranked Dispute Resolution Institute. At Pepperdine, Sarah was honored to be selected as the commencement speaker for graduation. She was on the Dean’s List twice at Hamline University School of Law. She is a member of the State Bar Association of Minnesota and the State Bar Association of North Dakota. See Sarah’s full bio.

Adam Seward joined River Valley Law, PA in May, 2023, as a law clerk. Through hard work and diligence, he was promoted to the position of Associate Attorney. 

Adam received his bachelor’s degree of Politics, History, and Economics from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. Afterward, he went directly into law school at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. In May 2024, Adam completed his J.D. at the University of St. Thomas School of Law and in July 2024, passed the MN State Bar Exam. On October 25, 2024, Adam was duly sworn in by the Minnesota Supreme Court to practice law in Minnesota. His primary areas of practice are in general civil litigation and appellate work. In 2025, he was awarded the Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year Award.

As a Minnesota native and Eagle Scout, Adam has a love of nature and the outdoors, especially camping, fishing, and kayaking. Adam also enjoys reading, collecting trading cards, and spending quality time with family and friends. Adam values hard work, honesty, and commitment; ensuring he keeps to his word and doesn’t stop until the task is done.

Sydney attended St. Cloud Christian School. During and after high school, she completed various college courses at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, MN. She is in the process of attaining her credentials for pastoral ministry with the Minnesota School of Ministry. She joined the River Valley Law team in 2021 and is well-accustomed to the culture and processes of the law firm. She looks forward to helping you in any way possible, as you navigate your next legal steps. Outside of the office, you can find Sydney spending time with her friends and family, outside with her dog, hiking, traveling, and cooking!

Ben Cotter is a paralegal with a background in litigation support, legal research, and conflict resolution. He holds a Master’s in the Study of Law from Hamline University, where he concentrated in conflict resolution, along with an ABA approved paralegal certificate and a BA in political science from the University of Minnesota.

Before joining River Valley Law, Ben worked in the rental car industry in a high-pressure airport setting. He learned to solve problems on the fly, juggle competing demands, and stay calm under stress. These skills now serve him in managing court deadlines, coordinating filings, and communicating with clients and agencies in real time.

At River Valley Law, Ben supports attorneys on civil matters involving employment disputes, probate, and property conflicts. His colleagues rely on his clear communication, responsiveness, and ability to adapt across diverse legal issues.

Outside of work, Ben has a deep interest in technology, aviation, and automotive design, especially the systems and interfaces that make complex machines intuitive to use. He has spent almost eighteen years immersed in World of Warcraft, where he explores the intersection of storytelling, mechanics, and player experience. He also analyzes film on his Letterboxd account with an eye toward structure, rhythm, and intent, approaching it the same way he approaches legal work, with curiosity, precision, and respect for how the pieces fit together.