Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
- Litigation
- Complex Commercial Litigation
- Contract Disputes
Sarah O'Connell joined the New York location of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in 2002. As a senior associate, her practice is focused on a wide range of commercial litigation matters, including business and corporate litigation, class actions, international disputes and arbitrations. She has represented clients in white collar cases ranging from internal company investigations to probes and formal investigations by the SEC and Department of Justice, and competition-related matters and actions relating to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act ("TCPA").
- Represented major energy company in multi-defendant class action brought in Federal District Court under the Commodity Exchange Act alleging price manipulation and resulting in favorable settlement
- Represented private equity firm in breach of contract and fraud actions pending in various federal and state courts arising out of client's investment in large time share projects, in which we obtained a preliminary injunction and dismissal of several claims followed by favorable settlement including substantial renegotiation of client's investment position
- Advised a large European bank on litigation-related issues arising from its role as liquidity provider to certain special purpose vehicles in a conduit structure involving subprime obligations
- Represented broker dealer in business separation litigation in New York Supreme and Appellate courts and concurrent NASD arbitration in which we obtained an award; all of which resulted in a favorable global resolution of all disputes
- Acted as lead associate in successfully obtaining injunctive relief on behalf of a technology company to prevent use by a patent licensor of confidential information
- Represented telecommunications carrier in action under Federal Communications Act and state law alleging failure to comply with FCC regulations over payphone compensation, which settled favorably for client
- Represented major telecommunications company in several disputes with independent sales agents pending in various courts across the country
- Represented leading energy company in action pending in federal court alleging tortious interference, resulting in dismissal of complaint
- Represented mortgage lending company and its principal in investigation by the SEC and Nevada Mortgage Lending Division
- Represented South African energy and chemical manufacturer in New York action in dispute arising from plaintiffs' alleged exposure to hazardous substances in South Africa, culminating in dismissal of all claims on grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction and forum non conveniens
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Association of the Bar of the City of New York
- Committee on Diversity Pipeline Initiatives
- Young Lawyers' Committee (2005 - 2010), Secretary (2008 - 2010)
- New York location Recruiting Committee
- "Rising Star," business litigation, New York Super Lawyers (2011)
- Co-author, "Supreme Court Finds Federal Question Jurisdiction Over TCPA Claims," Fulbright Briefing, January 23, 2012
- Co-author, "Ninth Circuit Weighs in on Corporate Liability and Exhaustion Under the Alien Tort Statute," Fulbright Briefing, October 28, 2011
- Co-author, "D.C. and Seventh Circuits Decide the Issue of Corporate Liability Under the Alien Tort Statute," Fulbright Briefing, July 13, 2011
- Co-author, "Second Circuit Leaves Intact Ruling Limiting Jurisdiction of Alien Tort Statute Over Corporations," Fulbright Briefing, February 16, 2011
- "The Alien Tort Statute," Speaker, Fulbright Seminar, Houston, TX, October 11, 2011
- "Best Practices for Educators and Employers on Building and Supporting the Pipeline," Moderator – Plenary Session Panel, New York City Bar, Student Legal Education and Opportunity Program, New York, NY, March 3, 2011
2002 - J.D., Fordham University School of Law
1997 - B.A., magna cum laude, Philosophy, The University of Scranton
Sarah is admitted to practice in the state of New York, the Southern, Eastern and Northern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second and Sixth Circuits.
Having finished three marathons in three years, Sarah has retired from running and taken up boxing. Sarah is also an avid sports fan and loves to watch virtually any sport in person or on television. In her spare time, Sarah likes to travel, especially in New England and to visit family spread throughout the US and Ireland.
Sarah sits on the Advisory Board of the Bronx School of Law and Finance. She also volunteers with New York Cares and the Special Olympics of New Jersey.



