Sara Little
Managing Associate
Paris
London
Originally trained in the U.S., Sara focuses on international commercial arbitration across a range of sectors, including defense contracting, energy and infrastructure, construction, technology, and corporate disputes involving joint ventures and licensing.
Sara represents clients across the United States, Europe and Asia in the energy and infrastructure, real estate, licensing and distribution, defense, and aerospace industries. She has experience handling disputes governed by French, Swiss, Iranian, and US (Maryland, New York, Washington, Illinois) law in most of the major arbitral forums, including the ICC, HKIAC, ICSID, and the Swiss Arbitration Centre.
With a strong background in Public International Law, Sara brings a nuanced understanding of the international legal frameworks that impact cross-border disputes to her cases. She also has a keen interest in defense technology and aviation, combining industry-specific knowledge with a solutions-oriented mindset to tackle the unique legal challenges these fields present.
Before joining Orrick, Sara gained valuable experience working in the Emerging Companies department of another major international law firm in New York City. She also represented the City of New York in family court, prosecuting child abuse and neglect cases for two years. In addition to her legal practice, Sara serves as a coach for the International Criminal Court moot court and is a Steering Committee member of the young practitioners’ group of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR).
Sara is recognised for International Arbitration by Legal 500 France.
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Representing a US financial services company in an HKIAC arbitration against a cryptocurrency wallet platform in a contractual dispute governed by Hong Kong law.
Representing a Spanish contractor in an ICC arbitration governed by New York law, against a South American owner regarding the construction of a power plant in Chile involving claims for delay and liquidated damages.
Representing a Spanish contractor in an ICC arbitration against an owner, regarding the construction of a solar power plant in Mexico.
Representing a Swiss based owner of valuable trademark licenses in an ICC arbitration concerning the termination of a distribution agreement in the Middle East.
Representing a European wine producer in an ICC arbitration against an American distributor in a shareholder dispute also involving breaches of a distributor agreement governed by French and Illinois law.
Representing a Japanese electronics company in an ICC arbitration concerning a breach of contract dispute with an American tech company in the aerospace industry.
Representing a German manufacturer in an ICC arbitration against an American government contractor involving industrial components under Maryland law and the FAR.
Representing a German investor in an ICC arbitration against a Middle Eastern State-owned entity concerning the construction of a hotel development complex.
Representing a French government contractor in a mediation against a US subsidiary in relation to an Earn-Out dispute.
Representing a French chemical company in a mediation against an Asian supplier in a breach of contract dispute.
