Ranked in 1 Practice Areas
1

Band 1

Real Estate

Delaware

13 Years Ranked

About

Provided by Sara Wagner

USA

Practice Areas

  • Real Estate
  • Career

    Sara Wagner, chair of the firm’s Real Estate Services Group, is considered “THE top real estate lawyer in Delaware” (Chambers USA). Sara focuses her practice on complex transactions involving the finance, acquisition, sale, lease, and development of commercial real estate properties. With “technical competence” and an “impeccable skill set,” she represents major real estate developers, financial institutions, significant holders of commercial real estate, and institutional clients in all types of commercial real estate transactions.

    “Sara is top notch. She knows how to get a deal done” (Chambers USA). Sara has particular expertise in closing sophisticated commercial real estate loans, including CMBS financing, portfolio financing, and mezzanine and preferred equity transactions. Sara also regularly advises clients on joint venture formation, equity capitalization, and other real estate matters.

    A contributing author of several published articles, she regularly updates “Delaware” in State-by-State Guide to Architect, Engineer and Contractor Licensing, Aspen Law & Business; “Delaware Construction and Design Law” in State-by-State Guide to Construction & Design Law: Current Statutes and Practice, American Bar Association; and “Delaware” in State-by-State Guide to Commercial Real Estate Leases, Law & Business.

    Publications

    • “Under Pressure,” Best Lawyers, February 20, 2023
    • “Real Estate USA - Delaware,” Getting The Deal Through, 2022
    • “Borrower Considerations in Multiple Lender Transactions,” The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, May 2022
    • “To Give or Not to Give a Partition Opinion?,” ACREL News & Notes, April 2022
    • “Select Participation and Syndication Issues,” Delaware Banker, Spring 2021
    • “Practical Considerations for Construction Lenders Regarding Mechanics’ Liens,” Delaware Banker, Spring 2020
    • “Lessons from Delaware: Navigating the 2018 Amendments to Sections 9-406 and 9-408 of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code,” ACREL News & Notes, February 2020
    • “Liquidated Damages in Delaware Real Estate Purchase and Sale Agreements,” The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, September 2019
    • “Practical Considerations for Commercial Lenders Regarding Environmental Liability,” Delaware Banker, Spring 2019
    • “The Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act: Considerations for Commercial Real Estate Finance,” The Abstract, Fall 2017
    • “Make Sure You Bring a Note - The Delaware Supreme Court Creates New Requirements for Foreclosing Mortgage Lenders,” Delaware Banker, Summer 2017
    • “Delaware Purchase and Sale Issues for Buyers,” The Practical Real Estate Lawyer, November 2016
    • “No “Leap-Frog” in Refinancing: Delaware Supreme Court Embraces Delaware’s Pure Race Priority Status,” Delaware Banker, Fall 2015
    • “The Delaware Rapid Arbitration Act: 5 Considerations for a Practitioner,” The Temple 10-Q, August 7, 2015
    • Co-author, “Loan Amendments Borrower and Lender Beware!” Probate & Property, July/August 2015
    • Professional Memberships

      American College of Real Estate Lawyers, Fellow

      • Capital Markets & Real Estate Finance Committee, Chair
      • Attorneys’ Opinions Committee, Vice-Chair
      • Title Insurance Committee
      • New Member Engagement Committee
      • Nominating Committee, 2023
      • American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow

        • Delaware State Chair
        • Copy Editor, The Abstract
        • Sponsorship Committee
        • American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section

          • Legal Opinions in Real Estate Transactions Committee, Vice Chair, 2021-2022
          • Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2016-present
          • Commercial Real Estate Transactions Group, Vice Chair, 2015-2016, 2016-2017
          • Title Insurance and Surveys Committee, Chair, 2014-2015; Vice Chair, 2013-2014
          • Senior Housing Committee, Vice Chair, 2012-2013
          • Temple University, Fox School of Business, Real Estate Advisory Board, Vice Chair

            Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Committee

            Mayor-Elect Purzycki Transition Team, Law Committee Chair

            Education

            Temple University School of Law

            J.D.

            2005

            Philadelphia University

            B.S., summa cum laude

            2002

            Awards

          • American Bar Foundation Fellow
          • Chambers USA
          • The Best Lawyers in America
          • Super Lawyers
          • Delaware Today Top Lawyer
          • Delaware Business Times, 40 Under 40
          • Delaware Law Weekly, Lawyers on the Fast Track
          • Expert in these Jurisdictions

            • Delaware, 2005
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