Meet the DHS Chief Counsel
Sarah Linam serves as the Chief Counsel for the Department of Human Services. In this role, she oversees legal operations in the Office of Chief Counsel, including agency litigation, regulatory and compliance, as well as county legal operations. Sarah earned a Juris Doctorate from William H. Bowen School of Law.
In 2017, she joined DHS as the managing attorney over contracts and procurement. Shortly thereafter, she became the Chief Procurement Officer at DHS. After leaving for a short time to work at the Department of Education, she returned to DHS in early 2020 to take on the role of Deputy Chief Counsel. Prior to coming to DHS in 2017, Sarah spent 8 years as a legislative attorney at the Bureau of Legislative Research. She is passionate about the mission of DHS and works every day to improve the quality of life of all Arkansans by providing support and guidance to all DHS Divisions. Sarah is a native Oregonian, but has called Arkansas home since 2001.
Office Overview
The Office of Chief Counsel consists of five sections which provide extensive legal, investigative and hearing services to the Department.
The Office of Public Guardian unit is responsible for the care of incapacitated individuals who have become wards through an application process as mandated by statute. Applications may be presented to this office by any concerned citizen but most applications are submitted by medical professionals, long term care providers, other DHS units and family members. If the Office approves the application, the Office will petition a court for guardianship of the ward and, if appointed, may serve the guardian of the person, the estate, or both.
The Office of Appeals and Hearings conducts administrative hearings and makes the final agency decisions for the Department regarding appealed actions. A request for an administrative hearing may concern Medicaid, Maltreatment, SNAP, or a number of other agency programs.
The Appellate Section provides statewide legal representation to the Department of Human Services in the areas of child welfare and adult protective services.
Also provides legal assistance and representation on administrative matters, litigation pertaining to delivery of services, program administration, and overpayment collections.
The Regulatory Section provides legal assistance and representation on contracts, privacy section matters, employment law, personnel, civil rights and rules promulgation issues for the agency.
The Privacy Section ensures the Agency’s compliance with HIPAA and privacy laws. It is also responsible for handling subpoenas, record requests, authorizations for information, and compliance with court orders.
County Legal Operations provides statewide legal representation to the Department of Human Services in the areas of child welfare and adult protective services.
Contact Information
| Office | Address | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-396-6456 Fax: 501-682-8009 | |
| Appeals and Hearings | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S101 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-682-8622 Fax: 501-682-6605 | |
| County Legal Operations | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-320-3935 Fax: 501-682-8639 | |
| Privacy Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-320-6292 Fax: 501-683-4829 | |
| Appellate Section | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot S260 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 501-320-6334 Fax: 501-682-6720 | |
| Office of Public Guardian | P.O. Box 1437 – Slot W105 Little Rock, AR 72203-1437 | 888-397-2430 Fax: 501-682-1483 |
Staff
| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Linam | Chief Counsel | 501-682-1363, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Brett Hays | Chief Deputy Counsel – Regulatory, Security and Compliance | 501-396-6456, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Rich Rosen | Chief Deputy Counsel – Appellate | 501-320-6334, Fax: 501-682-1390 |
| Vacant | Deputy Counsel – County Legal Operations | |
| Sommer Faulkenberry | Chief Administrative Law Judge, Appeals and Hearings | 501-682-8622, Fax: 501-682-6605 |
| Kitten Dixon | Office Manager, Office of Chief Counsel | 501-320-6378, Fax: 501-682-8009 |
| Jennifer Holland | DHS Privacy Officer | 501-320-6560 |
| Carolyn Singleton | Public Guardian for Adults | 888-397-2430, Fax: 501-682-1483 |
OCC Documents & Forms
| Documents | Doc Type | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Application for Public Guardian | 09/22/2020 | |
| Adoption Information Sheet | 09/20/2011 |
