Overview
Eminent Domain
In her eminent domain work, Sarah counsels both condemnor and landowner clients. For condemnors, she oversees projects and negotiations from inception (including during the planning and engineering phases) through acquisition. She also represents developer and individual landowners, utility and energy companies, companies with nationwide property portfolios, and retail centers in challenging eminent domain actions and achieving maximum just compensation awards.
Property Tax Appeals
Sarah also helps companies challenge their real property tax assessments and valuations. With significant valuation experience, she advocates for her clients at all levels of the tax appeal process, including proceedings before the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA) and through the abatement process.
Land Use
In her land use work, Sarah assists clients through development hurdles and works with municipalities and other government entities to get favorable project results for her clients. She works with landowners through the approval process when roadblocks arise, helping position them for potential litigation if their land use approvals are denied. Her advocacy on behalf of her clients includes work at both the local level as well as in court proceedings, including Rule 106 and declaratory judgment actions.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Colorado
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Education
University of Colorado Law School
J.D. (2006)
Wake Forest University
B.A. with honors (2003)
Experience
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June 2019 1 min readBridger Pipeline Completes Joint VentureReal Estate & Construction Environmental Compliance Corporate Environment & Energy
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2018 1 min readXcel Energy Acquires Right of Way for Major Energy FacilitiesReal Estate & Construction Land Use Planning, Zoning & Litigation Acquisitions & Dispositions Eminent Domain Environmental Compliance Environment & Energy
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April 2015 1 min readProperty Owners Receives Condemnation Award Far Exceeding Town Offer for Recreational TrailLand Use Planning, Zoning & Litigation Real Estate & Construction Disputes
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May 2013 1 min readSinclair Medicine Bow Pipeline Expansion ProjectAcquisitions & Dispositions Eminent Domain Environment & Energy
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December 2011 1 min readRight-of-Way Acquisition by Black Hills Energy CompanyReal Estate & Construction Eminent Domain Environment & Energy
Insights & Events
Other Perspectives
- Effective Case Planning: Getting Your Case Off to a Good Start
ALI-CLE National Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, Charleston, South Carolina, 2018 - Takings and Damaging by Flood: Case Selection Advice for Savvy Practitioners
ALI-CLE National Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, Charleston, South Carolina, 2018 - Colorado Eminent Domain Practice
Faculty, Colorado Bar Association, Denver, Colorado, 2017 - Litigation Overview: Colorado
Co-author, Practical Law, April 2016 - Know When to Hold 'Em, Know When to Fold 'Em – Attorney Fee Recovery in Eminent Domain
CLE International Eminent Domain Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2016 - Eminent Domain Legal Update
International Right of Way Association, Denver, Colorado, 2016 - Eminent Domain Half-Day CLE
Program Chair, Colorado Bar Association, Denver, Colorado 2015 - Appraiser's Rebuttal Expert Reports and Testimony - Effective Use of Appraisal Testimony to Rebut Expert
CLE International, Denver, Colorado 2015
Leadership & Community
Firm Leadership
- Hiring Committee
Honors
- Law Week Colorado — Barrister's Best: People’s Choice, Best Real Estate Attorney, 2018
- Faegre Baker Daniels – Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2017-18
- Faegre Baker Daniels — Baker Benson Pro Bono Award, 2015