Sara Potts concentrates the majority of her practice on commercial litigation, corporate/business disputes, insurance, litigation defense (employment, transportation, professional liability, and products liability), and construction. In addition to her trial and litigation practice, Sara also counsels clients on a variety of corporate and commercial matters, including corporate formation and governance, director/officer liability, employer liability, employee terminations/severances, member disassociations and expulsions, shareholder disputes, and prelitigation dispute resolution. 

While she is based in Oklahoma City, Sara’s practice involves all areas and counties within Oklahoma, and she is admitted to all state and federal courts located within Oklahoma, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

  • Representation of individuals as well as local, regional, and national companies in litigation involving breach of commercial contracts, sales contracts, and related disputes.
  • Representation of local, national, and international insurance/reinsurance companies in bad faith insurance litigation in multiple state and federal lawsuits.
  • Representation of local and national business owners and companies in several lawsuits and disputes involving wrongful termination claims, breach of contract, non-solicitation agreements, unfair competition, and trade secret misappropriation.
  • Representation of local and regional transportation companies and affiliates in multiple lawsuits involving personal injury claims, claims involving violations of federal transportation law, breach of contract claims, and commercial contract disputes.
  • Representation of local, national and international companies in defending multiple products liability lawsuits as well as asbestos exposure lawsuits.
  • Representation of corporate officers, directors, and managers of local and national companies and organizations in professional liability lawsuits and corporate litigation involving breach of fiduciary duties, shareholder/membership agreements, derivative claims, breach of contract, and negligent performance of contracts.
  • Representation of numerous local, regional, and national companies in employment defense cases regarding Title VII and Title IX complaints before the EEOC and in state and federal court.
  • Representation of Oklahoma business owners, officers, managers, and Oklahoma companies in multiple lawsuits, trials, and post-judgment proceedings regarding breach of contract, business dissolutions/disassociations, member expulsions, and accounting matters.
  • Representation of local, regional, and national construction companies in multiple lawsuits and arbitration proceedings involving negligent construction, breach of contract, warranty claims, professional liability issues, and related disputes.

  • Daniel v. Skurkey, Case No. 118,867 (cons. w/118,976) (Oklahoma Supreme Court, 2023 – Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, 2022; unpublished) – affirming verdict and jury award from 2020 jury trial on defendant-client’s counterclaims for fraud and unjust enrichment in business dispute, affirming 2020 bench trial judgment for defendant-client’s additional/bifurcated counterclaims for judicial dissolution of limited liability company and accounting, and denying plaintiff-appellant’s petition for certiorari
  • Wohlford v. American Auto Shield, Case No. CIV-22-520-SLP (W.D. Okla. 2023) – decision granting motion to compel arbitration in favor of defendants and enforcing mandatory arbitration terms in contractual agreement
  • Huff v. Bank of Eufaula, Case No. 119,529 (Oklahoma Supreme Court, 2021; unpublished) – declining to expand standards for negligence under Oklahoma law and affirming summary judgment for bank defendant in state negligence action
  • Metro. Life Ins. Co. v. Bradshaw, 450 F. Supp. 3d 1258 (W.D. Okla. 2020) – published federal court decision granting summary judgment in favor of national life insurance carrier on unjust enrichment claims in action for recoupment of FEGLIA proceeds
  • Reed v. Schmitz, 2020 WL 1664761 (unpublished), appeal dismissed, Reed v. Schmitz, Case No. 20-6080, 2020 WL 7033853 (10th Cir. Oct. 27, 2020) – dismissal granted in favor of international equipment manufacturer in breach of contract matter pursuant to enforcement of forum selection clause following removal to federal court
  • Smith v. Lopp, 2020 OK CIV APP 24, 466 P.3d 642 – Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals published decision affirming dismissal of claims raised by beneficiary in Trust Act lawsuit that were already at issue in ongoing probate of ancillary estate and affirming Trustee did not waive ability to move for dismissal under Oklahoma civil procedure
  • Herndon v. Sherwood Constr. Co., Inc., 2019 WL 1413750 (unpublished) – granting motion to compel arbitration of removed federal action in application of Federal Arbitration Act to construction contract terms
  • Fusion Indus., LLC v. Whalen, C2019 WL 5788313 (unpublished) – dismissal granted for lack of personal jurisdiction in removed federal suit involving claims involving non-compete and non-solicitation employment
  • Malone v. Select Specialty Hosp.-Oklahoma City, Inc., 2018 WL 2107204 (unpublished) – granting summary judgment in favor of employer-defendant in federal action involving wrongful termination, discrimination, and retaliation claims
  • Merritt v. Brim, Case No. 115, 676 (Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals, 2017; unpublished) –affirming dismissal of refiled action involving breach of contract/breach of fiduciary and in application of case law regarding Oklahoma’s savings statute and applicable statutes of limitations; further affirmed in summary disposition by Oklahoma Supreme Court

  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Corporate/Business Litigation, 2019-2024
  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Commercial Litigation, 2021-2024
  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Insurance Law, 2023-2024
  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Litigation – Construction, 2023-2024
  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021-2024
  • Best Lawyers®: Ones To Watch, Oklahoma City, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, 2021-2024
  • Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Business Litigation, 2019-2021
  • Super Lawyers®, Rising Star, Employment Litigation: Defense, 2021-2023
  • Executive Editor, Board of Editors, Oklahoma City University Law Review, 2013-2014
  • Law Review Member, Oklahoma City University Law Review, 2012-2013
  • CALI® Excellence for the Future Awards (4), 2011-2014
  • Phi Delta Phi Honor Society, Hand Inn, 2011-2014
  • Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, 2013-2014
  • Dean’s Legal Ethics Award for Excellence, 2014 ​

  • Transportation Lawyers Association, Member 2022
    • Brokerage, Logistics and E-Commerce Committee, Member
    • Casualty Litigation Committee, Member
    • Commercial and Business Litigation Committee, Member
  • Oklahoma Bar Association
    • Member – 2014 to present
    • Women in Law Committee, Social Media Subcommittee Chair, 2014-2016
    • Civil Procedure & Evidence Committee, 2014 to present
  • Construction Lawyers Society of America, Associate Fellow, 2022 ​
    • Diversity Law Institute, Member
    • Trial Law Institute, Member
  • Oklahoma County Bar Association
    • Member – 2014 to present
    • Young Lawyers Division, Director – 2014 to 2016
  • Federal Bar Association, Member, 2014 to present
  • Prairie Dance Theatre, Board of Trustees, 2016 to 2018
  • Ruth Bader Ginsberg Inn of Court, Associate Member, 2016 to present

  • "Doerner embraces each attorney’s personal history, experiences, and individuality. This allows us to specialize our services to a variety of clients who often have unique and challenging issues. The matters we handle are equally diverse, which provides for a wide range of career development and elevated client contacts. At DSDA, I’ve had the privilege to work with seasoned practitioners, gain experience in diverse and complex matters, and receive advice from distinguished mentors."

Education

  • magna cum laude, Oklahoma City University School of Law, 2014
  • B.S., Psychology, University of Central Oklahoma, 2010

Bar & Court Admissions

  • Oklahoma, 2014
  • United States District Court Western District of Oklahoma, 2014
  • United States District Court Northern District of Oklahoma, 2016
  • United States District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma, 2017
  • United States Court of Appeals Tenth Circuit, 2016