Meet Our Hosts
Sarah A. Ford
Sarah has served as Legal Director at the South Carolina Victim Assistance Network since 2017, where she leads a team of attorneys and advocates to provide direct legal services to South Carolina crime victims. A life-long South Carolinian, Sarah graduated from Columbia College with a B.A. in History and Political Science. Following graduation, Sarah taught with Teach for America in Charlotte, North Carolina before attending Charleston School of Law. She started her legal career as an assistant public defender in the 1st Judicial Circuit and spent the next 8 years as a former prosecutor with a focus on crimes against women and children. Sarah also worked as an adjunct professor at Claflin University and South Carolina State University. She routinely lectures on victims’ rights issues across South Carolina and beyond. Sarah is frequently featured in the media, commentating on crime and victims rights issues, and has been a regular guest on a number of programs. She is passionate about victims rights and inspiring people in their daily lives.
Mandy Powers Norrell
Mandy is a lawyer and a former South Carolina legislator who served four terms in the SC House of Representatives and was the Democratic candidate for SC Lt. Governor in 2018. She was born and raised in Lancaster County, SC, educated in Lancaster County public schools, and paid for college by working at Springs Textile Mills. She graduated with honors from Furman University and USC School of Law. Mandy always knew that her calling was to represent the people of her hometown and surrounding areas and that is exactly what she has been doing since she finished law school in 1997. Mandy practices law with her husband, Mitch, in the areas of Bankruptcy, Serious Injuries, and Wrongful Death. And she is a part time prosecutor with the 6th Circuit solicitors’ office prosecuting domestic violence cases.
