Sara Sayles

Member Spotlight

Company: Ball Janik LLP

How did you first hear about CREW Portland?

I first heard about CREW Portland from one of my colleagues who had attended a past CREW event.

What motivated you to join CREW Portland?

Networking, Business Development, Career Advancement, Meet Inspiring People, Volunteer, Be a Voice for Women in Commercial Real Estate

How did you get here?

The path that led me to my current position as a real estate and land use attorney is a long and geographically diverse one. After graduating from college, I worked for an environmental education nonprofit in Australia and realized I would need a law degree to navigate the regulatory red tape associated with our rainforest restoration planting efforts. That is what led me to pursue a law degree at Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law. Upon graduation from law school in 2008, I moved to California and litigated medical malpractice matters for nearly 3 years. Then, my husband and I had the opportunity to practice law as Assistant Attorneys General in American Samoa for 2 years. After returning to the mainland in 2013, we came back to Oregon and I accepted a position with a large financial services and real estate litigation firm. I found that I really enjoyed the real estate aspects of my practice and was able to further cultivate that by accepting solicitations from law school classmates to join their respective firms. Today, I have the pleasure and privilege of collaborating with some of our city's best legal minds on real estate and land use matters of all sorts.

Tell us something we didn't know about you?

I am a certified scuba diver.

If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be?

Thoughtful | Loyal | Organized

Favorite Travel Destination?

Anywhere with mountains or beaches.

What is one goal you would like to achieve through CREW?

I would like to develop a strong network of female professionals who can not only refer work, but can also provide friendship and moral support.