Sara A. Johnston

Partner

Sara focuses her practice on corporate litigation, lending disputes, and debt restructuring. Sara primarily advises and represents businesses and lenders facing financial and real property disputes. An extensive lending and restructuring background enables her to navigate a variety of complex issues concerning creditor, debtor, trustee, receiver, committee, real estate and corporate matters. She has experience representing lenders, borrowers, landlords, tenants, asset purchasers, trade vendors, farmers, and equity holders in various scenarios both inside and outside of the courtroom. Sara’s experience includes restructuring businesses, preserving and litigating creditor claims, avoidance actions, receiverships, foreclosures, bankruptcy, and asset purchases. 

Credentials

Education

University of Kentucky College of Law (J.D., 2015)

Auburn University (B.A., summa cum laude, 2011)

  • Political Science & Psychology

Bar admissions

  • Kentucky

Court admissions

  • Kentucky Supreme Court
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Affiliations and memberships

  • Kentucky Bar Association, Elder Law Section Legislative Committee, chair
  • Legislative and Policy Review Committee for the Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders, chair
  • Legal Aide of the Bluegrass, volunteer
  • Accredited with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  • The Willows, Advisory Board member
  • Kentucky Guardianship Association, board member

Distinctions

  • Kentucky Rising Stars®
    • For Bankruptcy: Business (2019-2024)
  • Best Lawyers ®
    • Litigation – Bankruptcy (2023-2024)
    • Litigation – Banking and Finance (2024)

News
  • December 18, 2025

    Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 34 Dinsmore Attorneys on 2026 List

  • August 21, 2025

    260 Dinsmore Attorneys Listed as 2026 Best Lawyers®, Ones to Watch

  • December 17, 2024

    Kentucky Super Lawyers Recognizes 29 Dinsmore Attorneys on 2025 list

  • August 15, 2024

    250+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2025 Best Lawyers ®, Ones to Watch

  • January 3, 2024

    Dinsmore Elevates 13 Attorneys to Partnership

  • December 29, 2023

    32 Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Kentucky Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

  • August 29, 2023

    California Bankruptcy Trustee Praises Dinsmore Team’s Counsel in Debt Firm Fraud Case

  • August 17, 2023

    200+ Dinsmore Attorneys Named 2024 Best Lawyers®, “Ones to Watch”

  • December 29, 2022

    Kentucky Super Lawyers Honors 30 Dinsmore Attorneys; Three Partners Named in Top 25 Women List

  • August 18, 2022

    2023 Best Lawyers® List Recognizes 190 Dinsmore & Shohl Attorneys