Sydney E. Allen

Sydney Allen is a Senior Managing Associate at Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP, where she advises on the intellectual property, privacy, and security aspects of complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions. Her legal practice also includes negotiating technology and commercial agreements, and counseling clients on privacy compliance. She previously worked as a civil defense litigator representing clients in contract, business and commercial disputes and judicial ethics investigations.

In addition to her legal work, Sydney is active in the broader San Francisco community. She serves on the Alumni Board of St. Ignatius College Preparatory and as Secretary of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Northern California. She also served on the Bar Association of San Francisco, Barristers Board of Directors for five years.

A San Francisco native, Sydney comes from a law enforcement family—her mother served as a Deputy Sheriff for 33 years. Her personal connection to the Sheriff’s Department and legal background uniquely position her to contribute to the Oversight Board’s mission of promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in the Sheriff’s Department. Sydney brings to this role both a personal investment in the Department’s integrity and a professional commitment to just and ethical governance.