Sara S. Berg

Bio

Sara Stanton Berg was born and raised in Big Rapids, Michigan and earned her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she also participated in Women’s Varsity Cross Country and Track. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Montana in Missoula in 2000, and has practicing at BKBH since that time. Ms. Berg is rated “AV Preeminent” by her peers according to Martindale Hubbell and is listed as a "future star" by Benchmark Litigation. Sara is a member of the Montana Bar, as well as the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel and the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers. She is admitted to practice in Montana State and Supreme Courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Ms. Berg's primary practice areas include General Litigation, Medical Malpractice Defense, and FELA Defense.

Sara is located in BKBH’s main office in Helena, Montana. She and her husband, Kerry, have three children: Kate, Will and John.

Representative Matters

• Obtained a dismissal with prejudice for a railroad in a FELA case prior to the close of discovery, including avoiding significant costs associated with the retention and depositions of expert witnesses.
• Lead counsel in an FELA action that proceeded to trial after Plaintiff's lowest demand was $750,000. After 7 trial days, secured a defense verdict with the jury finding the railroad defendant not negligent by a vote of 11-1.
• Lead counsel in a 10 day jury trial in which the last pretrial demand from Plaintiff was 130,000. After apportionment of damages and set off from other settled parties, the net verdict against the railroad Defendant was under $15,000.
• Secured a summary judgment as to allegations of negligent cab design in a railroad case, precluding that argument from reaching the jury at trial.
• Co-counsel in complex medical/employment action with multiple years of discovery and over 70 deposition taken. The case settled favorably for BKBH's client after Ms. Berg's cross examination of the Plaintiff at trial.
• After a lengthy permitting process, hearings before a hearings examiner and the Department's Board, helped to secure an air quality permit for a coal fire power plant and a high speed grain elevator.
• Was awarded the pro bono publico award in 2006 for the most hours of pro bono service by a private attorney in the 1st Judicial District.
• Co-counsel in a medical malpractice action against an emergency room physician in which the jury rendered a verdict of not negligent after 5 days of trial.

Professional Experience

BROWNING, KALECZYC, BERRY & HOVEN, P.C.
Helena, Montana
Partner 2000-present
Areas of Practice: Litigation, including Federal Employer’s Liability Act, Medical Malpractice Defense, Administrative Law, Family Law and School Law

MISSOULA COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
Missoula, Montana
Legal Intern April 1999-May 2000
Prosecuted misdemeanor cases. Handled negotiations with other attorneys, legal research involved in various cases, witness contact and preparation, interaction with law enforcement and the public, procedural paperwork involved with all cases, including trial preparation. Wrote motions, subpoenas, briefs, and memorandums. Performed bench trials and jury trials.