In This Section

Biography

Growing up, Sarah Ellis would accompany her dad, who was a real estate developer and contractor, to his office almost daily and watched his excitement as he put together deals and made plans for new development. Those moments with her dad shaped Sarah’s career path, and she followed in his footsteps, in her own unique way. In a commercial development or transaction, Sarah can be found in a variety of roles, including the architect of the deal, lender’s counsel, title insurance agent, and borrower’s counsel. From government buildings, energy facilities, and manufacturing facilities to gas stations and hotels, there aren’t many project types that Sarah has not participated in. Beyond commercial developments and as Co-Leader of Steptoe & Johnson’s Bankruptcy and Workouts Team, Sarah works closely with banking clients on collateral, bankruptcy, and collection issues.

Click here to read: I Said, “Stop!” … Or At Least I Thought I Did: Borrower Complaint Letters That Trigger A Duty To Respond, WV Bankers Magazine, Pub. 13 2022 Issue 2

Memberships & Awards

Professional
The Best Lawyers in America®, Corporate Law (2020-Present), Real Estate Law (2020-Present)
2016 Super Lawyers® West Virginia Rising Star
Nancy H. Rogers Prize in Dispute Resolution, The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law 2006
College of Business Outstanding Graduate in Management, Ohio University 2001
Graduated summa cum laude, Ohio University
Masthead Editor, I/S: A Journal of Law and Policy for the Information Society

Key Experience

Lender’s counsel in transaction for the purchase of long-term care facility, as an interim measure to secure HUD financing
Borrower’s counsel for a long-term care provider in obtaining HUD loan for the term financing of additional facilities
Frequently acts as lender’s counsel for financing of GSA leased facilities

Work Experience

2006 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2002-2003 Voinovich Center for Leadership and Public Affairs, Appalachian Regional Entrepreneurship Initiative

Speaking Engagements

Co-author "Avoiding CCPA Debt Collection Traps – A Periodic Reminder," WV Bankers Magazine, Winter 2020

Co-author "I Said, 'Stop!' … Or At Least I Thought I Did: Borrower Complaint Letters That Trigger A Duty To Respond," WV Bankers Magazine, Summer 2022