
Sarah E. Brownlow
Partner
SARAH E. BROWNLOW helps individuals, families, and business owners plan for the future, preserve their wealth, and navigate complex personal legal matters. With over 15 years of experience, she works closely with clients to develop personalized strategies that align with their family dynamics, financial goals, and charitable interests. Sarah’s work covers all aspects of estate planning and administration—from setting up trusts and family partnerships, to advising on charitable giving and passing down family businesses. She regularly guides families through the transfer of assets across generations, helping them manage and plan for estate, gift, income, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Sarah also advises executors, trustees, and beneficiaries on the administration of estates and trusts, including navigating the probate process and resolving disputes when they arise.
Sarah frequently collaborates with clients’ other advisors by integrating a team of investment professionals, accountants, and family offices to deliver coordinated, practical, and holistic solutions. She has become a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs, executives, and multigenerational families with complex planning needs. Outside of her client work, Sarah frequently writes and speaks on estate and tax planning topics, and she enjoys mentoring younger attorneys as they grow in their careers.
“The family’s objectives are my No. 1 priority in planning for the future, and I enjoy working with clients to find creative solutions to accomplish their goals.”
Professional accomplishments
- Trust Administrators Council of Richmond, Secretary
- Estate Planning Council of Richmond, Member
- Legislative Committee for Virginia Bar Association’s Section on Wills, Trusts & Estates, Member
- ChildSavers, Endowment Fund Trustee
- Frequent lecturer on trust and estate law topics
Prior work experience
- Nixon Peabody LLP (Rochester, NY), Associate
- Stroock, Stroock & Lavan LLP (New York, NY), Associate
- Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP (New York, NY), Associate
Education and recognition
- Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D.
- The College of William & Mary, B.B.A.
- Selected for inclusion as a “Rising Star,” Virginia Super Lawyers
- Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, Trust and Estates
Publications
- Federal Tax Update: Final Regulations Bring Clarity and Continued Questions for the SECURE Act and Estate Property Basis Consistency Reporting
- Co-Author, University of Richmond Law Review, Annual Survey of Virginia Wills, Trusts and Estates legal developments, 2021
- Co-Author, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils Journal of Estate & Tax Planning, Federal Tax Update, 2024
- Sarah works with Thomson Reuters to co-author six Practical Law publications each year:
Admissions to Practice
- Virginia
- New York
Beyond the job
Sarah’s free time is spent renovating her family’s 114-year old house and trying to keep pace with her energetic and joyful young daughters, her husband, and rescue pups Cooper and Cleo. She dreams about someday again having the free time to pursue her hobbies such as golf, travel, music and musical theater, and skiing.




