IN MEMORIAM
Among the sixty-seven vibrant and unique lives lost in the tragedy at Reagan National Airport were our beloved colleagues and friends Sarah Lee Best and Elizabeth Keys. Sarah and Liz both lived life to its fullest, yet passed away with so much ahead of them and so many dreams within reach. They left a mark on us that will endure forever. We remember them here in our own words, from our attorneys, legal assistants, paralegals, and staff.
Sarah Lee Best
Elizabeth Keys
“In a world where people are pushed to fit into little boxes, Sarah was indefatigably herself. And the world was better for it. She was funny, quirky, and incredibly good-hearted.”
“Liz had a special way of making difficult days feel lighter, always offering a smile, a kind word, or a listening ear. She genuinely cared, always asking about others, making everyone laugh and feel valued. I, and so many others, looked up to her."
“Seeing Sarah was like being on a long road towards the horizon at sunrise. You could see a bright future in her face.”
“Every time I would see Liz, I would without fail leave that conversation feeling better than I did before.”
“Sarah jumped into pro bono work from the outset of her time at the firm. Her example of selflessness, and the fierce intellect and passion she brought to bear, will stick with me and serve as continued motivation to help those in need.”
“Liz was the glue that bonded the associates together on our trial team—the initiator of inside jokes, the one who kept things light and positive, the teammate who’d drop everything to help you but also make you laugh along the way.”
“Everyone who met Sarah admired her and just as many loved her. She was frank, quick, and effortlessly funny. She would drop everything to chat with a friend. And she had a brilliant mind and a clarity of conscience that made her formidable. I will miss her texts and chats coming in ten messages at a time.”
“Liz was a joy and a light to be around – in everything from the lows of this job’s most demanding moments to the highs of team dinners and celebrations and all the mundane moments around the office in between. I’d be hard pressed to think of a better person to call a colleague.”
“I don’t think I have ever met someone as excited about starting a career in the law as Sarah.”
“Everyone has said that Liz brought joy, wit, and a sense of calm. That was never more true than it was for us at trial.”
“Sarah was always fully engaged in everything she did. If you were having a conversation, you never got the sense that she was anything but completely interested in what you were saying. She’d say a couple whimsical things and then cut right into the heart of the matter in such a direct way.”
“Liz was one of my closest friends at the office, the person I would go to when times were particularly stressful so that we could laugh through the craziness together. She was one of the most alive people I have ever met, and she will be missed more than words can express.”
“Sarah was the consummate team player. She was the first to volunteer for any challenging project, and she would execute it to perfection.”
“Liz was exactly the type of lawyer you want with you in the arena—sharp, flexible, and cool under pressure.”
“Sarah was always thoughtful of others’ time, apologizing for even asking brilliant, thought-provoking questions—and always thanking others repeatedly for helping her in any way. Her remarkable work ethic was matched only by her gentle heart.”
“Liz was a brilliant young woman who blended kindness, charisma, humor, and intelligence in everything she did. Her presence will forever be missed for the way she made everything better just by being herself.”
“Sarah spent five years teaching math to underserved students and her dedication and care for them was evident when she spoke about them.”
“Liz was never out of her element. In meetings with executives, in a small town courtroom, on a ranch far from any town, she was the same poised, funny Liz.”
“Sarah’s sincerity was disarming. She was like a bright light that you can see even with your eyes closed.”
“Working with Liz made you feel that you could get through any project, assignment, or trial.”
"Sarah was one of those incredible people who can make you feel like you’ve known her your whole life in a matter of minutes. I admired her for being so authentic and true to herself. She taught me a lot about the power of our own voices and to always stand up for what we believe. Her imprint on the world will be felt forever."
"Liz gave me several pieces of her jade plant, which she had lovingly grown over the years into a true beauty. I feel like that says so much about who she was as a person—loving, dedicated, warm, and a light for all who knew her. I only wish I’d had more time to get to know her better and to be around her light."