Sara L. Abner

Sara L. Abner is a Partner in Louisville, KY. She is Co-Chair of the firm’s Utilities Industry Team and has been with the firm since 2000. Her practice focuses on bankruptcy law, financial restructuring, creditor rights, utility law, banking law, commercial transactions, and electronic stored-value card law.

Sara earned her J.D. from the University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law in 1990, magna cum laude, as Valedictorian. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from the University of Louisville in 1986, summa cum laude. She also received several law school academic awards.

Sara has represented secured and unsecured creditors in large and complex Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. She has built a national bankruptcy practice and has handled preference and fraudulent conveyance actions in many jurisdictions. Her work includes creditor issues, reclamation rights, deepening insolvency, and related commercial matters.

Sara has represented utility companies, logistics and transportation companies, chemical companies, health care clients, manufacturers, suppliers, banks, and electronic gift card issuers. She has also served as a mediator in preference claim actions. Her practice reflects broad experience with clients facing financial, business, and legal challenges.

Sara has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® for Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization, 2024-2026, and Litigation—Bankruptcy, 2025-2026. She received the Frost Brown Todd Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2014 and the Mentor of the Year Award in 2004 and 2008.

Sara is active in professional and firm leadership. She leads the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Mentorship program for all FBT Gibbons offices in participating cities. She also assists with Central High School’s Law Magnet internship program and supports the firm’s training and development of new associates.

Sara L. Abner is admitted before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. She is also involved with major bankruptcy, bar, diversity, and mentoring groups.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, FBT Gibbons LLP
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Kentucky Bar Association
• Member, Louisville Bar Association
• Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
• Member, Brandeis Society
• Member, Woodcock Society
• Member, Pre-Law Mentorship Program

Licensed State

• Kentucky

Education

• University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Louisville
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges