Sara focuses her practice on commercial and residential real estate development, with over 15 years of specialized expertise in zoning and land use matters. She serves her clients by remaining true to her small-town values and humility, merging with her big city tenacity and vigor. Born and raised in Michigan, she spent her collegiate years and beyond working with governments across the globe to implement evolutionary legislation and policies to nurture responsible growth and diversity, and later replanted roots in Chicago, where she actively promotes collaboration and mindfulness to quell conflict and bring about positive change.  

Sara represents real estate developers, national franchises, local business owners, property / asset management companies, hospitality groups and many other types of domestic and international enterprises in navigating complex land use, zoning and licensing issues throughout Chicago and the Midwest. Sara regularly appears before the Chicago and Cook County Zoning Boards of Appeals, City Council's Committee on Zoning, and the Chicago Plan Commission, along with appearances before other municipal Councils and Boards, as well as their respective Land Use Commissions, Appearance Review / Development Committees, for matters including variations, special uses, administrative appeals, zoning amendments and planned (unit) developments.

She also practices before Landmark / Historic Preservation Commissions and works with Departments of Buildings and Departments of Transportation on sign permits, alley vacations, grants of privilege and public way usage matters, while also working with Corporation Council and the respective Municipal Real Estate Divisions on land acquisitions, subdivisions and dedications.

Representative Matters

• Represents large format, high tier, mixed-use and commercial developers and asset managers in planned (unit) developments, zoning map amendments, variations, special uses, TIF and affordable housing consulting, and community engagement.

• Represents and helps moderate format residential and mixed-use developers grow their portfolios by and through the effectuation of zoning map amendments, variations, special uses, administrative adjustments, land acquisitions / subdivisions and sophisticated due diligence.

• Represents local and national retail, restaurant, wellness and hospitality clients toward the procurement of entitlements necessary for operation and occupancy, including special uses, zoning (map and text) amendments, liquor licensing, public place of amusement permits, and general business licensing matters.

• Consults with and represents multiple upper tier asset management companies towards the acquisition, permitting and ongoing maintenance of digital billboards and other related commercial signs.    

• Represents cannabis business establishments in effectuating zoning map and planned development amendments and/or special uses required for local licensing and operations, pursuant to the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, and provides consultation on related regulatory compliance.

Professional Activities

• Appointed to the Mayor's Task Force for Chicago Cannabis Regulation and Affordable Housing

• Member (Advisor), 44th Ward Community Planning Council

• Adjunct Instructor, Oakton Community College – Zoning and Land Use Compliance for Social Equity Cannabis Operators

• Member and active volunteer with Chicago Spartans

• Cambridge Who’s Who of Rising Attorneys