Sarah Crooks
- Portland
- Seattle
Sarah guides clients through complex business litigation, class-action lawsuits, and attorney general investigations.
Sarah Crooks offers guidance across a variety of industry sectors, including telecommunications, food and restaurant, childcare and education, and real estate. She represents clients in matters involving consumer protection, securities litigation, fraudulent transfer litigation, and will contests.
Sarah dedicates a significant portion of her time to pro bono work and volunteer efforts to serve the legal community. Since 2002, Sarah has served as a volunteer lawyer for Legal Aid Services of Oregon, representing victims of domestic violence in obtaining restraining orders. She is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, involved with the American Bar Association, and the past president of both the Multnomah Bar Association and Oregon Women Lawyers.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Oregon School of Law, J.D., Articles Editor, Oregon Law Review, 1996
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.S., Economics, 1992
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Oregon
-
Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Oregon Legal Services Corp., McMinnville, OR, Staff Attorney, 1997
Clerkships
- Hon. Owen Panner, U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- Hon. Susan Leeson, Supreme Court of Oregon
- Hon. Susan Leeson, Court of Appeals of Oregon
Professional Recognition
Named "Litigation - Antitrust Law Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America, 2023
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Recognized by Portland Business Journal as a "Rising Star," 2018
Ranked by Chambers USA as “America’s Leading Lawyers" for Litigation, 2017-2024
Named Best Lawyers' Portland, OR, "Litigation - Antitrust Lawyer of the Year," 2017, 2019
Listed in Benchmark Litigation’s Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys as a Future Litigation Star, 2011-present
Listed in Best Lawyers in America: Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law; Litigation - Antitrust, 2011-2024
Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine, "Oregon Rising Stars," 2008, 2010-2011 and "Oregon Super Lawyers," 2012-2024
Listed in Portland Business Journal "Forty under 40," 2008
Justice Edwin J. Peterson Professionalism Award, presented by the Oregon Bench & Bar Commission on Professionalism, 2012
Recipient of Perkins Coie Pro Bono Leadership Award, 2011
Justice Betty Roberts Award, presented by Oregon Women Lawyers, 2010
Recipient of Perkins Coie Austin Crowe Mentor Excellence Award, 2010
Portland Business Journal, Orchid Award recipient, 2009
Michael E. Haglund Pro Bono Award, presented by Multnomah Bar Association, Legal Aid Services of Oregon and Oregon Law Center, 2006
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Multnomah Bar Association, Board Member and executive committee, 2007-2012; President, 2010-2011; CLE Committee, 2004-2007, Chair, 2006-2007
- National Conference of Women's Bar Associations, Board Member, 2004-2011, President, 2009-2010
- American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice (TIPS) Section, Technology Committee, Chair, 2009-2010; Member, 2006-present; Self-Insured Risk Managers Committee, Vice Chair, 2007-2011
- Oregon Women Lawyers, Board of Directors, 1998-2004, President, 2003-2004
- American Bar Association Tort Trial Insurance Practice (TIPS) Section, Leadership Academy, 2007-2008
- Owen M. Panner American Inn of Court, Barrister, Program Chair, Executive Committee member, 1999-2010
- Oregon State Bar Diversity Section, Executive Committee, Treasurer, 2002
- Portland Business Alliance, Leadership Portland program, 2008-2009
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section, Member
- Federal Bar Association, Member
- Oregon State Bar Business Litigation Section, Member
Community Involvement
- Campaign for Equal Justice, Board Member, Vice President, 2008-present
- Legal Aid Services of Oregon, Domestic Violence Project, Volunteer Attorney, 2002-present
- Hands on Greater Portland, Volunteer, 2003-2007
- Classroom Law Project, Coach and Judge, Mock Trial, 2004, 2006-2007, 2009-present
- St. Andrew Legal Clinic, Volunteer, Walk for Justice, 2006-2007
- Oregon Girls State Mock Trial Instructor, 2008-2010
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Litigation
Dex Media Inc. v. Deibert, et al.
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Successful prosecution at trial for Dex of $2 million fraudulent transfer and shareholder liability claims.
DEX Media Inc. v. National Management Services Inc.
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Oregon Court of Appeals
Successful enforcement of contractual arbitration clause. 150 P.3d 1093 (Or. Ct. App. 2007)
Harp v. Qwest Communications International Inc.
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Served as defense counsel in an Oregon state consumer protection class action where plaintiffs alleged several claims for breach of contract, fraud, and violations of the Oregon unlawful trade practices act based on billing practices. Plaintiffs sought a class-wide settlement in excess of $20 million. Perkins Coie successfully narrowed the claims certified for class treatment, negotiated a very favorable claims-made class settlement, and successfully defended the settlement agreement through a contested fairness hearing. The class action settlement was approved by trial court following contested fairness hearing and administration of claims-made settlement is complete. Docket number: 0110-10986
Hormel Investments v. Pine Street Investors, et al.
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Trial counsel for plaintiff in takeover of real estate venture.
Indoor Billboard / Washington Inc. v. Integra Telecom of Washington Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Washington State Supreme Court
Reversal of summary judgment in Washington Consumer Protection Act (CPA) class action, establishing rule that causation element of CPA claim requires proof that defendant's acts were proximate cause of plaintiff's injury. 170 P.3d 10 (Wash. 2007)
Multi-state Consumer Protection Investigation
Successful settlement of 34 state Attorneys General consumer protection investigation.
National Management Services Inc. v. Qwest Dex Inc.
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Affirmance of trial court's denial of prejudgment interest in breach of contract lawsuit. 219 F. App'x. 658 (9th Cir. 2007)
Snyder v. SpringWater Acquisitions LLC
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Trial counsel for plaintiff in securities fraud litigation.
In re Estate of M. Bauman
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Trial counsel for contestants in will contest.