×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔
Sara K. MacWilliams
Pro

Sara K. MacWilliams

5.0
11 reviews

3883 Telegraph Road, Suite 203, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302 + 1 location

Commercial Law, Business Law, Complex Commercial Litigation and 5 more

About Sara K. MacWilliams

For over two decades, Sara K. MacWilliams has represented business owners and executives in complex disputes where the financial and operational stakes are high. With more than 22 years in practice, she has secured multi-million-dollar results—both verdicts and settlements—that have been recognized in legal and industry publications. Sara’s approach is hands-on and collaborative: clients can expect frequent communication, clear guidance, and an aggressive, results-driven strategy tailored to the realities of running a business. She has a particular passion for high-risk cases and trial work, and her practice includes select matters handled on contingency or through alternative billing arrangements. Sara’s recent successes span a wide range of business conflicts, including ownership and membership disputes, business lockouts, cannabis lending litigation, whistleblower-related financial claims, and technology disputes involving ERP and CRM software fraud. Over time, she expanded her practice beyond the courtroom to help clients avoid litigation in the first place, and she often serves as outside general counsel to small and midsize companies. That blend of prevention and trial experience gives her a practical perspective on both sides of business law. She is also the proud mother of five.

Awards & Recognition

Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2010-2012)

Super Lawyer, Business Litigation (2013-2026)

Super Lawyers, Top 50 Women Lawyers (2017-2026)

Super Lawyers, Top 100 attorneys in Michigan (2023-2026)

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Up and Coming Lawyer (2013)

Hour Detroit Magazine, Top 50 Women Attorneys in Michigan since 2017

Avvo, Martindale, Top Rated Attorney

Best Lawyers top rated attorney, 2023-2026

Michigan Lawyers Weekly, Women in the Law, 2021

"2024-2025 Top Lawyer" in Corporate Law by DBusiness Magazine

 

Sara K. MacWilliams (Bloomfield Hills, Michigan) View website

Awards

Avvo Client's Choice
This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com.
Avvo Client Choice

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Sara K. MacWilliams got this award in 2021

Reviews for Sara

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
5.0
See All Reviews
11
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
Martindale
Not yet reviewed
5.0
Avvo
11

Services

Areas of Law

  • Commercial Law
  • Business Law
  • Litigation
  • Health Care
  • Real Estate
  • Contracts
  • Technology and Science 1
    • Computers and Software
  • Other 1
    • Complex Commercial Litigation

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed hourly rates: $250 - $350/hr
    Fixed fees available
    Contingency Fee: 20% - 33%
    Accepted Credit Cards
    Other
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    In re Treasurer of Wayne County, 478 Mich. 1
    732 N.W.2d 458 (2007).
  • Additional Links
    https://www.dmhlawyers.com/sara-macwilliams

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    2004, Michigan
    U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
    U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
    U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
    U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
    Indiana
    2017, Oregon
    Memberships
    Oakland County Bar Association.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Michigan
    Class of 2004
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Kalamazoo College
    Class of 2001
    B.A.
    summa cum laude

Contact Sara K. MacWilliams

Partner at Doerr MacWilliams Howard PLLC
5.0
11 reviews

3883 Telegraph Road, Suite 203Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302U.S.A.

301 N. Main Street, Suite 260Ann Arbor, MI 48104U.S.A.

view 1 other office Location
hide 1 other office Location

Other Office Location

Ann Arbor, MI

301 N. Main Street, Suite 260Ann Arbor, MI 48104U.S.A.

Activity

Email Sara K. MacWilliams

Case type is required.
A valid zip code is required.
A valid city is required.
State is required.
Country is required.
Outside the US or Canada?
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

Contact Information

First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
City:
State:
Country:
Case Description:
Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Return to Profile

Attorneys FAQs

  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, Sara K. MacWilliams is admitted to practice in Indiana, Michigan and Oregon.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    Sara K. MacWilliams is admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
  • Does this attorney maintain a professional presence on any social networks?
    Yes, Sara K. MacWilliams has a professional profile on LinkedIn.
  • Does this attorney maintain a practice in more than one location?
    Yes, Sara K. MacWilliams has a presence in Ann Arbor, MI.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Sara K. MacWilliams attended University of Michigan.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions

Avvo Client Reviews

Ratings and reviews are feedback from people who have either consulted an attorney about an issue (but may not have hired the attorney) or people who hired an attorney as a current or former client and provided their feedback to our sister site, Avvo.com.