Sara Orpha Couch

Sara Couch is a trial lawyer who contributes to litigation across several of the firm’s practice areas, including defective medical devices, harmful drugs, toxic exposure, consumer protection, and technology & privacy actions.

Sara spearheads Motley Rice’s litigation for victims who suffered pancreatic cancer, intestinal blockages, stomach paralysis and other ailments after taking Ozempic or Wegovy for weight loss. She serves on the PEC as chair of the Marketing Discovery Committee. Sara filed the first complaint in the nation alleging harms caused by Wegovy and strongly believes in holding companies accountable for products that target and harm women.

This litigation builds upon Sara’s work on other litigations that have caused harm to women. This includes representing women who suffered devastating effects caused by medical products including Essure permanent birth control and transvaginal mesh. Sara’s extensive work with experts in Essure provided the foundation for her current service on the Science & Expert Committee for the Social Media MDL, in which Motley Rice holds leadership positions. She also serves on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee overseeing litigation filed in the District of New Jersey for women who developed BIA-ALCL, a rare form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, allegedly caused by textured Allergan breast implants.

As a member of nearly a dozen Motley Rice trial teams, she also helped achieve multiple plaintiff verdicts for tobacco victims and a multi-million verdict for victims of toxic lead paint exposure.*

Sara is also part of the opioid litigation team representing dozens of governmental entities, including states, cities, towns, counties and townships in litigation targeting the alleged misrepresentation and fraudulent distribution of harmful and addictive prescription opioids by manufacturers and distributors. Sara is proud of the various settlements that have been reached that will benefit states like Kentucky and her hometown in Appalachia.

Prior to joining Motley Rice, Sara was a law clerk with the North Carolina Department of Justice, where she researched and drafted briefs and memoranda regarding the False Claims Act and Stark Law for the North Carolina Medicaid Civil Enforcement Division. She also investigated allegations of healthcare fraud and presented findings to the division.

Sara also volunteered with Legal Aid of North Carolina, assisting advocates for Children’s Services with a school-to-prison pipeline project by researching education policy issues, North Carolina case law and education data to be used in education litigation. Sara completed a total of 50 hours of pro bono service while a student at UNC School of Law.

Active in her community, Sara previously served on the Board of Directors for East Cooper Habitat For Humanity, and currently serves on the Board of Slow Food Charleston. Sara also is part of the Roper St. Francis Xavier Society, which supports Roper Rehabilitation Hospital. An avid rower, Sara was a varsity member of the NCAA Division-I Duke University’s Women’s Rowing.

* Please remember that every case is different. Any result we achieve for one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

•“Don’t Shy Away from Damages", TRIAL Magazine (July 2023)

Awards, Accolades & Recognitions

Best Lawyers

Charleston, SC
2022-2026 Ones to Watch list: Mass tort litigation / class actions - plaintiffs; Personal injury litigation-plaintiffs; Product liability litigation-plaintiffs

2025-2026 Ones to Watch list: Litigation - Securities

Charleston Regional Business Journal

2023 Forty Under 40

American Association for Justice

2023-2024 Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Academy, Class 10

Blog Posts

May 14, 2026

Comparing European vs. American GLP-1 Labels

by: Sara O. Couch

News

April 13, 2026

Social media juries send a clear message: protect our children

by:
Annie E. Kouba

March 25, 2026

New Mexico AG Prevails in Lawsuit Against Meta Platforms Inc.

by: Motley Rice