Sarah C. Gillstrom

She/Her

Partner

Sarah Gillstrom is a seasoned litigator and a partner in the firm's Real Property group. She is well-regarded in the Anchorage legal market, focusing on real estate transactions and construction.

Sarah handles all legal aspects of property development and ownership, including acquisitions, financing, engineering, procurement, occupancy, leasing, construction, and sales. She represents owners, developers, contractors, investors, banks, and purchasers in litigation and other matters.

Sarah is a proven leader in a team-oriented office where her colleagues' practices, focused on energy law and government contracts, work hand in hand with hers. She has 15 years' experience in all phases of litigation in both federal and state courts.

Her transactions and litigation background also includes taking on issues of contract disputes, product and premises liability, negligence, sale of assets, and business formation across a broad range of sectors, from housing to education, seafood, healthcare, hospitality, telecommunications, transportation, public utilities, banking, mining, oil and gas, and government projects.

Practice Highlights

Commercial litigation

Contract litigation, defense of claims under the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices Act, real property foreclosure and receivership litigation, and litigation regarding actions of state and federal government agencies.

Contract negotiation

Represents owners, contractors, and design professionals in commercial and contract negotiations and administration including engineering, design, procurement, construction, and service contracts, purchase and sale agreements, financing agreements, and leases.

Property development

Represents both owners and developers in commercial and residential project development.

General contractor claim*

Defended a general contractor against a subcontractor seeking additional funds for the erection of a bridge across the Placer River in the Chugach National Forest in Alaska. The case proceeded to a bench trial where the subcontractor failed to defeat the offer of judgment.

Corporation disputes*

Represented a subsidiary of a Community Development Quota organization relating to disputes among members of a limited liability company formed to process seafood in Dutch Harbor. The case proceeded to a bench trial after which the court found for the subsidiary and its parent on all claims.

Bonding agent claims*

Defended a surety agent against claims by a purchaser of a construction company that the agent had misrepresented the bonding capacity of the construction company. The claims were dismissed on summary judgment because the claims were barred by the statute of limitations.

*Denotes an attorney's experience prior to joining Davis Wright Tremaine

Admitted to Practice

Alaska, 2010
U.S. District Court, District of Alaska

Education

J.D., University of Minnesota Law School, 2008, cum laude
- Minnesota Law Review: Managing Editor, 2007-2008; Staff Member, 2006-2007
- Research Assistant (Antitrust & Complex Litigation) for Provost E. Thomas Sullivan, 2007-2008
B.S., Finance, DePaul University, 2002, cum laude
Executive Leadership Program, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, 2022

Memberships & Affiliations

- Fellow, American College of Mortgage Attorneys
- Associated General Contractors of America

Background

- Partner, Perkins Coie LLP, Anchorage, Alaska, 2019-2022
- Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP, Anchorage, Alaska, 2016-2018
- Associate, Perkins Coie LLP, Anchorage, Alaska, 2013-2015
- Associate, Lynch & Associates, Anchorage, Alaska, 2010-2013
- Law Clerk, Judge Peter A. Michalski (Retired), Superior Court of Alaska, Anchorage, 2008-2009
- Law Clerk, Regulatory Strategy, Ameriprise Financial, Minneapolis, 2007
- Summer Intern, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Denver, 2006
- Legal Assistant, Mass Torts, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Chicago, 2002-2005

2020-2023

Publications

Author, Business Torts, A Fifty State Guide, Alaska Section

2016-2017, 2021