Sarah J. Luem

Shareholder

P: 314.505.5498

F: 314. 505.5499

E: luem@capessokol.com

HIGHLIGHT

Represented a prominent real estate developer in a business divorce and negotiated a global settlement agreement involving more than 100 retail projects.

HIGHLIGHT

Ongoing representation of a large, closely-held business with respect to the purchase and sale of real estate, the acquisition of multiple businesses, and the negotiation of commercial contracts.

Experience at Work

Sarah is passionate about representing individuals and closely-held businesses of all sizes and in all stages of growth in corporate and transactional matters.  She focuses her practice on the resolution of complex legal matters that affect businesses in a variety of industries - particularly those matters involving ownership disputes and deadlocks, succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, and business divorces.

Sarah’s work on general corporate matters also includes drafting organizational documents, corporate governance issues, assisting with capitalization and financing, employment and consulting agreements, charitable giving and general contract advice.

But it’s her past experience in the business world that gives Sarah an edge over many other lawyers in her field. Prior to attending law school, Ms. Luem worked as a Management Consultant for a Human Capital and Strategic Change practice group, where she was responsible for providing strategic communication and transformation consulting to Fortune 500 companies. This communications and consulting background gives her a unique perspective and enables her to systematically analyze legal matters and deliver effective solutions to her clients.

In serving her clients, Sarah routinely collaborates with her clients’ internal and external advisors, including their key employees, accountants, tax advisors, and personal representatives. By taking the time to listen and understand her client’s industries, problems and challenges, Sarah is able to serve as a well informed and trusted advisor to her clients, helping them to navigate both day-to-day operational, business and legal issues that arise as well as counseling her clients as they encounter more complex legal matters and disputes.  Through this collaboration, Sarah is able to help her clients identify, manage and mitigate risk and turn even the most complex challenges into opportunities.

In the Community

An active member of the St. Louis community, Sarah is personally committed to the development of legal skills in aspiring attorneys. She is an adjunct professor at Washington University Olin Business School, where she teaches an upper-level course on business law. In addition, Sarah is Co-Chair of Capes Sokol’s Summer Associate Program which integrates 3L students into the daily fabric of legal practice.

Sarah is actively involved in groups that support women affected by breast cancer. She is a co-chair of the Breast Trivia Night Ever, an event that raises money for Gateway to Hope.

Awards

  • St. Louis Small Business Monthly, Top 100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed in Business (2022)
  • Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer (2018)
  • Super Lawyers® | Missouri and Kansas Rising Stars List, Rising Star (2019 – 2021)

Professional Organizations

  • Commercial Real Estate Women | St. Louis Chapter Delegate
  • The Missouri Bar
  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Educational Background

  • J.D., Saint Louis University School of Law, cum laude (2011)
  • B.S.B.A., Organization & Human Resources and Psychology, Washington University (2003)

Representations

  • Assisted prominent real estate developer in selling his interests in more than 100 retail shopping centers
  • Represented prominent real estate developer in ongoing shareholder disputes which were ultimately resolved via a negotiated global settlement agreement.
  • Ongoing representation of a major fuel marketer with respect to acquisition and sale of land as well as negotiation of contracts related to the distribution of petroleum products and the operation of convenience stores and car washes.
  • Represented client making a majority investment in national and regional restaurant franchise operations.
  • Negotiated a buy-out of a co-owner in a software development company in order to resolve an ongoing shareholder dispute.
  • Represented client in the sale of the assets of a home-health agency.
  • Represented national real estate developer in the acquisition and sale of retail shopping centers.
  • Sale of the assets of a home health care agency.
  • Represented a family-owned business in a $100M acquisition of a portfolio of assets.

Speaking Engagements

  • July Program. Commercial Real Estate Women | St. Louis Chapter. St. Louis, MO. (2022)
  • August Meeting. International Facility Management Association | St. Louis Chapter. St. Louis, MO. (2022)
  • Emerging Women in Real Estate Panel—Their Perspectives. St. Louis Women in Real Estate Virtual Summit. Midwest REnews. St. Louis, MO. (2020)
  • Preventing and Handling Disputes in the LLC. National Business Institute. St. Louis, MO. (2018)

Publications

  • “The Missouri Supreme Court Provides (Some) Direction to Lower Courts on Stare Decisis and District Splits.” Benchmark. (2011)

Teaching

  • Business Law. Washington University – Olin Business School | Adjunct Professor (2015 – 2021)

Firm Insights

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Missouri
  • U.S. District Courts
    • Eastern District of Missouri

Current Leadership Positions

  • Commercial Real Estate Women, St. Louis Chapter | Delegate and Executive Board Member
  • Gateway to Hope – Breast Trivia Night Ever | Co-Chair

Past Leadership Positions

  • Books for STL Kids | Board Member (2015 – 2020)
  • Young Survival Coalition’s Council of Advisors – Legislative Advocacy Workgroup | Member

Let's Work Together

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