Sarah Patel Pacheco

• The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2007-2023
  • Lawyer of the Year – Houston, Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2014, 2017, 2021
  • Litigation – Trusts and Estates, 2011-2021, 2023
  • Trusts and Estates, 2007-2021, 2023
• Texas Super Lawyer – Estate and Trust Litigation, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2004-2022
• Top 50: Women Texas Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2006, 2008, 2017-2018, 2020-2021
• Top 100: Houston Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2009, 2015-2016, 2019-2021
• “Top Lawyers in Houston” List, H Texas Magazine, 2005-2008, 2016
• “Top Lawyers Under 40” List, H Texas Magazine, 2004
• Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers – Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2004
• Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation, 2004
• Fellow, Houston Young Lawyers Association, 2000

Publications

• Co-Author, Probate—Texas Practice Guide, Thomson West (2010-present)
• Co-Author, Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning—Texas Practice Guide, Thomson West (2010-present)
• Editor, Texas Guardianship Manual, 2^nd, 3rd and 4^th edition, State Bar of Texas (2021)

Speaking Engagements

• “Update on Temporary Relief Options in Trust Litigation – Where Are We Now?” State Bar of Texas 17th Annual Fiduciary Course (November 2022)
• “Will Contests,” State Bar of Texas 46th Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Law Course (June 2022)
• “Balancing Control to Avoid Out of Control Litigation: A Cautionary Tale From a Litigator’s Perspective,” Corpus Christi Estate Planning Council 47th Annual Estate planning Seminar (May 2022)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association 2022 Annual Trust, Estate and Portfolio Management Forum (April 2022)
• “Probate and Trust Litigation – Tales from the Dark Side,” Houston Business and Estate Planning Council (February 2022)
• “Administration Issues,” State Bar of Texas: Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2022)
• “Defending Deceased or Incapacities (Former) Fiduciaries,” State Bar of Texas 15th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course (December 2021)
• “Giving Your Settlement Agreements Superpowers: Exculpatory Clauses, Indemnity, and Other Limitations on Liability in Settlements,” Houston Bar Association Probate, Trusts & Estates Section (November 2021)
• “Balancing the Legal, Medical and Ethical Aspects of Planning for an Impaired Person,” State Bar of Texas; Advanced Elder Law Course (November 2021)
• “Overview of Issues and Considerations When Involved in Estate Planning Matters,” Houston Financial Planning Association (September 2021)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Houston Financial Planning Association (July 2021)
• “What Every Estate Planner Needs to Know About Fiduciary Litigation,” State Bar of Texas 27th Annual Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course (April 2021)
• “Administration Issues,” State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2021)
• “Giving Your Settlement Agreements Superpowers: Exculpatory Clauses, Indemnity, and Other Limitations on Liability in Settlements,” State Bar of Texas 14th Annual Fiduciary Litigation Course (December 2020)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association 2020 Texas Graduate Trust School (July 2020)
• “Appointment Of Receivers, Auditors, And Injunctive Relief (And Other Options) In Probate And Trust Litigation”, State Bar of Texas 44th Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Law Course (June 2020)
• “Balancing Control To Avoid Out Of Control Litigation: A Cautionary Tale From A Litigator’s Perspective,” Houston Estate and Financial Forum (February 2020)
• “Administration Issues,” State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2020)
• “The Intersection Between Trusts, Estate Planning and Family Law,” State Bar of Texas 24th Annual New Frontiers in Martial Property Law Course (October 2019)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association 2019 Trust, Estate & Portfolio Management Forum (October 2019)
• “Drafting To Avoid Litigation and Exploitation: From a Litigator’s Perspective,” State Bar of Texas 40th Annual Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Drafting Course (October 2019)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association 2019 Texas Graduate Trust School (July 2019)
• “Overview of Guardianships: Role of Guardian and Attorney Ad Litems in Guardianship Proceedings: and Enforcement Actions,” 2019 Probate Academy for County Judges (May 2019)
• “A Messy Inheritance or an Inherited Mess,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course (April 2019)
• “Administration Issues,” State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2019)
• “Fiduciary Pitfalls,” San Antonio Estate Planners Council (December 2018) and Houston Business and Estate Planning Council (November 2018)
• “Trial Strategies,” State Bar of Texas Fiduciary Litigation Course (December 2018)
• “Options For Seeking Interim Relief In Trust And Estate Litigation,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Law Course (June 2018), Austin Bar Association Estate Planning & Probate Section All-Day CLE (May 2018), and State Bar of Texas Fiduciary Litigation Course (December 2018)
• “Role of Guardian and Attorney Ad Litems in Guardianship Proceedings,” 2018 Probate Academy for County Judges (May 2018)
• “Fiduciary Duties,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course (April 2018)
• “Administering the Estate,” State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2018)
• “Administration Issues,” State Bar of Texas Building Blocks of Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning (January 2018; January 2017; January 2016)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association Texas Graduate Trust School (July 2017; July 2016; July 2015)
• “Current Trends and Tactics in Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association Texas Trust Conference (March 2017)
• “Drafting To Avoid Litigation: From a Litigator’s Perspective,” Corpus Christi Estate Planning Council Meeting (February 2017) and State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Law Course (June 2016)
• “Pre-Lawsuit Evaluation and Investigation of Fiduciary Claims,” State Bar of Texas Fiduciary Litigation Course (December 2016)
• “Litigation in Guardianship,” Texas Judicial Probate Academy (May 2016) and State Bar of Texas Advanced Guardianship Law Course (April 2016)
• “Medicaid Transfers in a Guardianship Environment,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Elder Law Course (April 2016)
• “Guardian Ad Litem v. Attorney Ad Litem,” State Bar of Texas Handling Your First (or Next) Guardianship Case (December 2015)
• “Guardianship Issues for the Impaired Divorce Client,” UT Law CLE’s Estate Planning, Guardianship and Elder Law Conference (August 2015)
• “Administration of Closely-Held Business Interests in Estate and Guardianship Proceedings,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning & Probate Law Course (June 2015)
• “Fiduciary Litigation,” Texas Banker’s Association 2015 Intermediate Trust and Estate Administration Seminar (May 2015)
• “Irrevocable and Nonamendable: Post Death Modifications, Reformations, Addressing Litigation and Tax Components,” State Bar of Texas Advanced Estate Planning Strategies Course (April 2015)

National & State Associations

• American Bar Association – Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Litigation Sections, Member
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Estate Planning and Probate Law Exam Commission
  • Chair, 2006-Present
  • Member, 2004-2006
• State Bar of Texas – Chair, Guardianship Manual Committee

Houston Bar Association

• Houston Bar Association – Probate, Trust & Estate Section Council
  • Chair, 2009-2010
  • Chair-Elect, 2008-2009
  • Vice-Chair, 2007-2008
  • Secretary, 2006-2007
  • Treasurer, 2005-2006
• Houston Bar Association Committees
  • CLE Committee, Co-Chair, 2008-2009
  • Judicial Polls Committee, Member, 2008-2009
  • Elder Law Committee, Member, 2007-2008
  • Seminars Subcommittee, Co-Chair, 2007-2008
  • Institutes Subcommittee, Co-Chair, 2006-2007

Other Associations

• Houston Young Lawyers Association – Elder Law Committee, Co-Chair, 1998-2003
• Texas Young Lawyers Association – Needs of Senior Citizens Committee, 1999-2003
• Generation-X Estate Planning Forum, Member
• Women Attorneys in Tax and Probate
  • Programs Vice President, 2000-2001
  • Programs CLE Officer, 1999-2000