Davis Wright Tremaine Adds Real Estate Partner in Anchorage

The law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine hired Sarah Gillstrom as a Partner its real estate group in Anchorage. Her duties focus on real estate transactions and construction law, handling all aspects of property ownership, acquisition, financing, and sales. She also advises clients needing assistance before state and local agencies on permitting, entitlement, and leasing.

Gillstrom earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at DePaul University in Chicago and received her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. She previously worked at Perkins Coie, where she spent almost a decade representing construction companies, public utilities, telecoms, and other clients.

“It’s rare to find a lawyer of Sarah’s caliber,” says Lisa Peterson, co-chair of Davis Wright’s real estate group. “She will not only deepen our bench and expand our client base but also increase opportunities for collaboration across practice groups, including with our highly regarded energy and government contracts groups.”

Early in her career, Gillstrom practiced at Lynch & Associates in Anchorage, specializing in commercial insurance litigation and construction. She has argued cases in federal and state courts, including the Alaska Superior Court, where she previously clerked for Judge Peter A. Michalski. As a summer associate, she conducted investigations at the Securities and Exchange Commission and worked in the general counsel’s office at Ameriprise Financial.

“Sarah is a leader who has been well respected in the Anchorage legal market for years,” says Lynn Manolopoulos, real estate co-chair. “Her experience delivering results for clients across multiple industries will grow our real estate footprint in Alaska and nationally.”

Gillstrom joins the Anchorage team at a time when the northernmost Davis Wright office is growing and becoming more diverse.

“The firm’s preeminence in Anchorage is unmatched and so is its reputation as a dynamic home for women lawyers,” says Gillstrom. “I look forward to integrating my existing client base—from property owners and developers to contractors, banks, and investors—into the collaborative Davis Wright platform.”