Elizabeth “BB” Sanford is the owner of the Sanford Firm, a Dallas-based employment law firm that represents employees in cases of wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation, harassment, and whistleblower claims across the United States. The firm’s trial lawyers have secured some of the largest employment jury verdicts in the nation.
Born and raised in the Dallas area, BB graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, a Master of Divinity from Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a Juris Doctor from Baylor University School of Law. She was the first person at Baylor to graduate with a joint Divinity and Law degree.
Before attending law school, BB served as a music and youth minister. Her heart has always been on the side of justice and individual civil rights, and she feels called to represent workers who have been wrongfully terminated. She has tried numerous jury trials and arbitrations to verdict.
In her free time, she enjoys playing fetch with her dog, traveling, and cheering on the Baylor Bears.
Practice Areas
- Wrongful termination
- Race, sex, pregnancy, age, and disability discrimination
- Retaliation and whistleblower claims
- Qui Tam claims
- Sexual harassment and hostile work environment
- Employment trials and arbitrations
Notable Results
BB Sanford and the Sanford Firm’s trial lawyers have obtained landmark verdicts for employees, including:
- $366 million jury verdict in Harris v. FedEx (2022) — race discrimination and retaliation; widely reported as one of the largest individual employment discrimination verdicts in U.S. history.
- $70 million jury verdict in Yarbrough v. Glow Networks (2022) — race discrimination and retaliation on behalf of ten employees.
- $20 million jury verdict in Joppy v. HCA-HealthOne (2025) — race discrimination and retaliation on behalf of a registered nurse.
- $4.4 million jury verdict in Avellan v. Methodist Health System (2025) — pregnancy discrimination and breach of contract on behalf of a physician.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be judged on its own facts. Some verdicts described above were modified or are subject to post-trial or appellate proceedings.
Professional Associations & Memberships
- State Bar of Texas (SBOT) Labor & Employment Law Section Council – 2026 to present
- Baylor Alumni Board of Advocates – 2025 to present
- Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (DTLA)
- Dallas Bar Association (DBA)
- Dallas Bar Association (DBA) Labor & Employment Law Section Council – 2024 to present
- Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) – Secretary, 2021; Treasurer, 2022; Vice President, 2023; President-Elect, 2024; President, 2025; Immediate Past President, 2026
- DAYL Foundation – Secretary, 2021; Vice-Chair, 2022; Chair, 2023; Trustee, 2024 to present
- National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA)
- Texas Employment Lawyers Association (TELA)
- American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- American Bar Association (ABA)
- The William “Mac” Taylor Inn of Court
Certifications & Recognition
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation – 2025
- Baylor Young Alumni of the Year – 2025
- Named one of D Magazine’s Best Lawyers Under 40 – 2023 – 2025
- Named one of D Magazine’s Best Lawyers – 2023 – 2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – 2021 – 2025
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 – 2022 – 2026
- Keenan Trial Institute Graduate and Master Graduate, 2020
- National Trial Competition – Regional Competition Winner, 2017
- Baylor University School of Law, “Mad Dog” Mock Trial Competition, 2016
- Andrews School of the Trial – Trial Competition First Place Winner, 2016
- Order of the Barrister, 2015
Education
- Juris Doctor, Baylor University School of Law
- Master of Divinity, Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary
- Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, Baylor University
Articles and Speaking Engagements
- The University of Texas Annual Labor & Employment Law Conference: Federal Employment Law Update – annually, 2022 – 2026
- State Bar of Texas Advanced Employment Law Conference: Federal Employment Law Update – annually, 2022 – 2026
- DAYL Trial Skills Bootcamp – 2025
- 2025 NELA National Convention: Demonstratives & Visual Aids for Trial
- 2025 Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute: Planting Million-Dollar Seeds – Developing Emotional Distress Claims So the “Garden Variety” Label Doesn’t Stop You from Getting the Results Your Client Deserves
- American Bar Association Labor and Employment Trial Institute: The Art of Cross Examination – 2023, 2025
- TTLA October 2023 CLE: Hypocrisy at Trial
- DBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section April 2023 CLE: Valuing Employment Cases: Plaintiff’s Perspective
- Minnesota NELA February 2023 CLE: Obtaining Large Verdicts in Employment Trials
- DTLA February 2023 CLE: 10 Killer Hits for an Effective Cross Examination
- NELA 2022 National Convention: Tesla and Other Large Verdicts
- NELA 2022 Fall Trial Skills Book Camp Instructor and Presenter: Show and Tell: Compelling Use of Visuals & Demonstratives in Employment Cases
