LAWYER PROFILE
Sarah M. Bernstein

Sarah M. Bernstein

USA 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Barack Ferrazzano

Practice Areas

Motor Vehicle

Corporate & Securities

Luxury

Career

Sarah is a trusted strategic advisor to motor vehicle manufacturers, guiding them through the distribution of their products within the extensive state and federal regulatory landscape. Her significant business law & transactional background make her uniquely positioned to find creative solutions to solve complex business problems for her clients.

Sarah is a co-chair of Barack Ferrazzano’s Motor Vehicle Group and leads the Group’s transactional practice. With over a decade of experience in the industry, she helps motor vehicle manufacturers manage the sale and distribution of their products, including through counseling on franchise and dealer network matters, commercial relationships and regulatory concerns, and brand launches in the U.S. market. She also advises clients on evolving areas of the law, such as manufacturer direct sales, electric vehicle sales, motor vehicle e-commerce, and emerging mobility platforms, assisting clients with structuring and rolling-out initiatives in these areas.

Sarah’s practice also encompasses business planning, general corporate matters, and secured lending. She has extensive experience in structuring and documenting complex business arrangements for her clients, including in the areas of product distribution, supply chain management, and product sales and marketing. She also represents lenders in connection with secured transactions, with a focus on credit facilities secured by partnership and other investment interests, and has experience in motor vehicle consumer financing.

Sarah is very involved in firm life at Barack Ferrazzano and is an active member of numerous firm committees, including being the former co-chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. Sarah has also served as the Vice President of the Board of Directors of the North Lawndale Employment Network for 13 years. In that role, she acts as pro bono general counsel and has become a trusted advisor to both the board and executive director, particularly when they are faced with complex legal challenges.

To learn more, please visit www.bfkn.com/sarahbernstein.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Transportation: Road (Automotive) - USA - Nationwide

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Sarah Bernstein co-chairs the firm's motor vehicle group and leads the group's transactional practice. She frequently counsels vehicle manufacturers on sale and distribution, franchise and dealer networks, as well as regulatory concerns.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Sarah is always available, extremely responsive and delivers great work. She is a true asset to the team.

    Transportation: Road (Automotive)Chambers Guide to the USA
  • There's no one I trust to advise on car dealer transactions and business organization matters more than Sarah Bernstein.

    Transportation: Road (Automotive)Chambers Guide to the USA
  • Sarah is highly knowledgeable in commercial automotive franchise laws and regulations, and is highly skillful at understanding and addressing client concerns.

    Transportation: Road (Automotive)Chambers Guide to the USA
  • She is responsive, solution-oriented and provides prompt delivery of the request. I'm very happy to work with her.

    Transportation: Road (Automotive)Chambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Barack Ferrazzano (14)

Illinois

USA - Nationwide

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