Introduction

After 17 years as a successful litigator, Sarah Burke made the decision to pursue her "true calling," when she started a mediation practice in 2006. She had spent her career representing developers, suppliers, contractors, subcontractors and homeowners in all types of construction litigation. Due to the complexity of such matters, in having to negotiate with multiple parties with divergent interests, Sarah found that her role as an advocate was slowly evolving into that of a facilitator. One attorney commented, "Even as a litigant, Sarah was the "go-to" lawyer to close the deal. Literally in the courthouse, she pulled together over 45 parties to settle a case the Special Master couldn't close. It's our good fortune to have her available now as a neutral, and I couldn't recommend her more highly." In addition to her expertise in construction defect, Sarah has significant experience handling insurance coverage issues, personal injury, employment and wrongful death cases as well as patent and copyright matters. As a mediator, she has developed a reputation for relentless follow-up. On the infrequent occasion that a case does not settle in the first session, Sarah doesn't just let the parties walk away, rather she leaves them with homework, a road-map to continue progress. Counsel commented "Even though the case didn't settle in the original mediation, she continued to follow-up with me and plaintiff's counsel until we were able to reach an agreement. It was most appreciated and I now know why she was so highly recommended."

Practice Areas

• Business/Commercial
  • Contractual
• Construction
  • Construction Breach Of Contract
  • Construction Defects
  • Construction Delay Claims
• Employment
  • Disability Discrimination
  • Family Leave Act
  • Wage and Hour
• Insurance
  • Coverage
  • Property Damage
  • Subrogation
• Real Estate
  • Buy/Sell
  • Property Damage
• Tort
  • Personal Injury
  • PI Auto
  • Product Liability

Hobbies & Interests

Sarah is an avid endurance cyclist. She spent 8 years coaching cyclists for the Leukemia Society's Team in Training program, most recently as head coach for the ultra-endurance (and just plain hard) Death Ride: 130 miles over 5 mountain passes. She's completed over a dozen double century rides (200 miles in a day) and attributes some of her endurance in long mediation sessions to her long distance cycling training.

Website

http://www.burkeadr.com

Testimonials

"Went very smoothly. "
- Attorney on a Construction Defects case

"Sarah Burke was once again very helpful in getting our case resolved. Thank you!"
- Attorney on a Construction Defects case

Legal Career

• Full-time Neutral (2006 - Present)
• Partner, Drath, Clifford, Murphy & Mack (2001 - 2009), managed construction defect and insurance coverage litigation sections of the firm.
• Senior Associate, Selman Breitman (1995 - 2000), handled insurance coverage, construction defect, personal injury, and wrongful death litigation matters in San Diego and San Francisco.
• Associate, Wingert, Grebing, Anello & Brubaker (1992 - 1995), litigated construction defect, insurance coverage and personal injury cases.

Education & Professional Affiliations

• JD, University of San Diego School of Law (1992)
• BA, Bowdoin College, magna cum laude (1989)
• 60 hours of advanced mediation training, 40 hours, Steven Rosenberg Mediation Training (2006), 20 hours, Various Local Bar Associations (2007-2013)
• The Mediation Society, Board of Directors (2013)
• Alameda County Bar Association ADR Executive Committee, Chair (2012)
• Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California & Nevada, including 2 years as Chair, Construction Law Sub-Committee, Board of Directors (2002-2006)

Achievements & Awards

• Sarah has been a regular speaker/panelists for a variety of different legal educational providers, such as West Coast Casualty's Construction Defect Seminar, the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance Annual Conference as well as the Association of Defense Counsel.
• She has also lectured throughout the country on various topics including dispute resolution, construction and insurance litigation, civil litigation and California law.
• In 2005, Sarah participated in extensive meetings with California Senate and Assembly Judiciary Chairs Joe Dunn and David Jones to discuss pending legislation aimed at "construction defect reform".

Legal Experience

• All types of Personal Injury
• Construction Defect
• Insurance Coverage
• Employment
• Professional Malpractice

Representative Case Information

• Business/Commercial
• Construction
• Employment
• Insurance
• Real Estate
• Tort