Sarah Zabel
Sarah Zabel is a distinguished legal professional and founder of MAZE Resolutions PA, a mediation and arbitration practice focused on helping businesses and families resolve disputes outside of protracted litigation. She leads a team of six female neutrals, including retired judges, emphasizing intentional growth, mentoring, and fostering an empathetic, human-centered approach to conflict resolution. Her philosophy is grounded in kindness, empathy, and paying it forward, with a mission to reduce the stress and expense often associated with the court system.
Before founding MAZE Resolutions, Sarah had a nearly 16-year tenure as a Circuit Court Judge in Miami-Dade County, serving across civil, family, juvenile, and criminal divisions, as well as the appellate panel. She began her career as an attorney in the State Attorney’s Office, handling litigation in areas such as child support enforcement, probate, and bankruptcy. Her early dedication to public service, combined with leadership roles in the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Miami-Dade FAWL), laid the foundation for her judicial and professional success.
Sarah’s career has been marked by resilience and purpose. Balancing her family life with professional ambitions, she pursued law school while pregnant, initially aimed for entertainment law, and ultimately found her calling in public service. She has been recognized for her mentorship and leadership, including awards from the Women of Tomorrow program and the Miami Beach Chamber, and has created initiatives like TLC for The Law Collaboratively and Miami Shine to support youth transitioning out of foster care. Today, she continues to guide clients through the legal “maze,” providing expert dispute resolution with compassion and integrity.
• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law- J.D.
• Florida State University- B.S.
• Miami Dade College- A.A.
• Visionary Award-Collaborative Family Law Institute for Outstanding leadership in the Implementation of the Collaborative Law Pilot project
• Chief Justice's Judicial Excellence Award
• Achievement Award
• Ally Award for Her Tireless Fight for Equality
• Goodwin Research Fellowship
• FAWL President's Award for Outstanding Service
• Judicial Lifetime Achievement Award
• Miami Shine Award
• Pro Bono Service Award
• Women of Achievement
• The Devorah Judge Award
• Special Recognition Award
• Miami-Dade Justice Association Appreciation for Public Service
• Florida Association of Women Lawyers
• Women of Tomorrow
• Miami Beach Chamber
• Women of Tomorrow Mentor & Scholarship Program
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Dade FAWLBig Brothers Big Sisters of Miami Dade FAWL
• Commission on the Status of Women in North Miami Beach
• Florida Bar Committee on Professionalism
• Miami Dade County Committee on Professionalism
• Undergraduate and Law Schools
• Judicial Conference
• Miami Dade College
• Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law
• Legal Services of Greater Miami and Lawyers and Advocates for Special Education Advocacy
• Florida Bar Grievance Committee
• Public Board of Advocates for Special Education Advocacy
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a deep commitment to public service and mentorship, which has guided my career from the judicial bench to founding MAZE RESOLUTIONS PA. Strong family support, deliberate career decisions, and a willingness to work hard and make sacrifices have also been key. At the heart of it, helping others navigate complex challenges and paying it forward has been the most rewarding part of my journey.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I can share comes from a story about Marlo Thomas that has stuck with me throughout my career. When Marlo was starting out, she told her father Danny Thomas that she was thinking of changing her last name because everyone associated her with him. Whether this is true or an urban legend, the words attributed to her father have guided me: 'You be your thoroughbred, run your race.' Put the blinders on, put the cotton in your ears, and run your race. When I ran for judge, there were people who said maybe this isn't the right time for you, and I had all that negative noise. But I put the cotton in my ears and blocked it out. I tell this story to anyone who comes to me, women who want to run for judge, people starting their journey, or anyone facing negativity about their path being too hard. You have to block out all the negative noise and just run your race. That's my advice.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the legal field or any profession is to not be afraid to ask for help. Reach out to someone, ask for a mentor, ask questions, and be that sponge. Always keep an open mind. If someone says no to you or a door is closed to you, go to the next person that says yes. Shame on the person who closes the door, because I've had that in my own life. People who I thought would be there for me weren't, and people who were total strangers opened doors for me. Don't be afraid, and I understand the hesitancy, but be invincible. Stand up, hold your head high, and walk your path. The measure of success is not the grades you get, it's the person you become and who you are. It's not how you start, it's how you finish, and it's about the journey. Don't let anybody put roadblocks in your path. Just stay in your lane and don't let anybody deter you. Block out all the negative noise, because that's when you'll progress and find your true path.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
At my core, the values most important to me are humanity and kindness, which I think are inextricably intertwined. Being considerate is something that's important to keep at the forefront of how you treat other people. You can't control what other people say or do, but you can control who you are and how you respond. Being kind is so important because you never know what someone else is going through. At the core of my values is kindness, empathy, and being understanding of people. I hate injustice, so for me, seeing people as equals and being a humanitarian in your treatment of others is what I uphold. In my downtime, I've started playing pickleball with a beginner women's league of 16 women in different professions. We meet every Tuesday from 7 to 9, and it's exercise for the mind, the soul, and the body. I'm also an avid reader and not a big TV watcher, but I enjoy being able to open a book and relax. First and foremost, however, I enjoy spending time with my family as much as I can. I have two wonderful sons and two daughters. One of my sons is a lawyer, the other is in marketing, my daughter is in medical school, and my youngest is an actress in New York. I'm extremely proud of my wonderful children.