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Sara P Sandford - Legal Background
Sara Sandford is a Columbia University School of Law graduate who went on to practice for over 30 years in the field of cross border corporate and commercial transactions, rising to shareholder, Chair of the Business and International groups, Ombudsperson, Executive Committee member, and Office Managing Director of her firm.
With years of work helping resolve conflicts for clients and her firm, Sara brings experience to her role as a mediator, both as an advocate and as a party. Sara’s interest in mediation developed out of her work in Japan and with Japanese clients, where resolving conflicts to both parties’ satisfaction is often considered the only acceptable outcome. While studying and living in Japan, Sara not only learned how to read and write the language, but realized how much she could learn from Japan’s culture of conciliation.
She has worked cross-culturally with clients around the globe, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Caman Islands, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands-Antilles, New Zealand, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam.
Ms. Sandford’s volunteer work has proven she is a true leader -- serving in leadership roles in various organizations, while mentoring and helping others to achieve their objectives. This has included serving as a board member and President Elect of the King County Dispute Resolution Center, as Chair, Executive Committee member, Section Delegate to the ABA House of Delegates, Council Member and other officer roles for the American Bar Association’s International Law Section. She was honored to be elected as Chair, Executive Committee member, Board Member and other officer roles for the Japan America Society for the State of Washington. She was selected by the ABA President to Chair and serve as council member of the Asia Law Initiative Council and Board Member for the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, to be a Board Member of the ABA Center for Human Rights, as well as the ABA's Liaison to LAWASIA. Sara has also served as the International Law Section’s liaison to the ABA Dispute Resolution Section and has served for many years on Advisory Boards for both the Jackson School of International Affairs, University of Washington, and currently serves on the Global Business Institute, University of Washington School of Law.
Sara’s formal training in ADR includes numerous courses and programs of the ABA – Dispute Resolution Section, Powerhouse Mediation and the King County Dispute Resolution Center. She has received training in coaching, conciliation and facilitated dispute resolution as a volunteer for the Eviction Resolution Program of KCDRC, including successful completion of the ERPP Facilitative Mediator Intensive Program. Sara has taught classes on negotiation, mediation, and dispute resolution and is a qualified Neutral Rule #114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.
Sara P Sandford - Honors & Professional Offices
Sara Sandford's contributions to the profession have been recognized by a number of organizations, including Chambers USA (Leading Individual – Washington, Corporate/Commercial), Best Lawyers in America (International Trade and Finance Law), Seattle Met magazine (Top Lawyers – International Trade), American Bar Association International Law Section (Outstanding Volunteer), The Tenants Union of Washington State (Certificate of Appreciation), Garvey Schubert Barer (Dallaire Award for Pro Bono Services) and Martindale Hubbell (AV Preeminent rating).
Sara's involvement with the American Bar Association has spanned years, working in a variety of capacities for the International Law Section, including chairing the Section of then over 20,000 worldwide members and serving as the Section’s liaison to the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, as well as the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and Washington State Bar Association for many years. Sara has also served as Co-Chair of the Asia-Pacific and Co-Chair and Senior Advisor to the International Human Rights Committees, Division Chair, Diversity Officer, Secretary and Operating Officer, Vice Chair, Chair-Elect, Administration Committee member, Executive Committee member, and Council member.
Sara was honored to be appointed as the ABA Representative to LawAsia, an organization of bar associations around the Pacific Rim and Asia. Sara has served on the Executive Committee of the ABA Section Officers’ Conference, becoming a leader among ABA leaders.
Sara received ABA Presidential appointments to serve on the Board of the ABA Rule of Law Initiative, as well as a member of its Asia Law Initiative Council, becoming the Council’s Chair, as well. She was also honored with an appointment to the Board of the ABA Center for Human Rights and has been on the editorial board of the International Law News and Perspectives, the newsletter of the Commission on Women in the Profession.
Ms. Sandford is a Patron Fellow of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation, an organization that only one percent of lawyers from each state or territory in America are invited to join.
Sara P Sandford - Teaching & Other Appearances
Sara Sandford is a frequent speaker and lecturer on business, commercial, international and other legal issues
International
• “Please Control Yourself! Dealing with Difficult Participants in Cross-Border Mediation,” UIA 31st World Forum of Mediation Centers Panelist
Frankfurt, Germany.
• “Context Matters - Understanding the Impact of Cultural Differences & Legal Systems on Mediations,” UIA 30th World Forum of Mediation Centers Panelist
Malaga, Spain.
• “Challenging the Perception of Risk in Africa,” ABA Section of International Law Panelist
Capetown, South Africa.
• "Women in Law & Innovation, Voice of the Profession Session," 55th International Young Lawyers Congress
Tokyo, Japan.
• "Ethics and Professional Liability: Current Issues," ABA Section of International Law Panelist
Barcelona, Spain.
• "Surfing the Wave: Maintaining Balance in Legal Ethics," ABA Section of International Law, Americas Forum, Panelist
Bogota, Columbia.
• "Representation of a Foreign Investor: Do You Need a Local Representative as an Investor?" Union Internationale des Avocats Congress
Budapest, Hungary.
• "Key Legal Issues in U.S. Mergers and Acquisitions for European Lawyers," American Bar Association, Section of International Law, 2016 Europe Forum
Rome, Italy.
• "Challenges to the Practice of Law," American Bar Association Section of International Law, ILEX, Moderator, Kadir Has University
Istanbul, Turkey.
• "Frequently Unanticipated Hazards of U.S. Acquisitions," Korean Bar Association/American Bar Association Conference
Seoul, Korea.
• "Best Practices and Legal Risks Surrounding Joint Venture Projects and Strategic Alliances," ABA Section of International Law Asia Forum
Tokyo, Japan.
• "Managing Ethics in the Global Law Firm," ABA Section of International Law Conference
Buenos Aires, Argentina.
• "Corporate Governance in Family-Owned Enterprises," ABA Section of International Law Conference
Dublin, Ireland.
• "Starting Out with an Ideal and Ending Up with a Deal: The Role of Lawyer as Negotiator," ABA Section of International Law Conference
Dublin, Ireland.
• “Negotiating an M&A Deal,” School of the University “LUISS”
Rome, Italy.
• "Cultural Competency in a Global Arena: Diversity, Equality and Inclusion for the International Lawyer," 2010 Fall Meeting, American Bar Association International Law
Paris, France.
National (and Virtual)
• “Human Rights Defenders Under Attack: Where Are We Now? Accountability under Human Rights Law”, Closing Remarks, American Bar Association International Law Section International Human Rights Committee, Virtual Event.
• “Resolving Disputes Internationally: The Impact of Cultural Diversity,” Moderator and Co-Chair, American Bar Association International Law Section Annual Conference, New York, NY.
• “Dignity, Freedom & Justice for All: Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, American Bar Association International Law Section International Human Rights Committee, Virtual Event
• “Global Pro Bono Opportunities through the ABA”, Moderator, American Bar Association International Law Section Annual Conference, Washington, D.C.
• “What’s Next: Bar Associations and the Pandemic Response, Revisited”, Law Asia and ABA Rule of Law Initiative, Virtual Event
• "All Human, All Equal - Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights: Commemoration of the 73rd Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights", American Bar Association International Law Section, Virtual Event.
• "What Could Possibly Go Wrong? -- Tips to Resolving Disputes Cross Border" Washington State Bar Association, International Practice Section, Virtual Event.
• "Malaysia and the Rule of Law: Where are We Now?" International Human Rights Committee
Virtual Event.
• “Human Rights Defenders,” American Bar Association International Law Section
Virtual Event.
• “There’s No Place for Us – Empowering Women in the Legal Profession,” American Bar Association, International Law Section, Virtual Event.
• “Colombia and Human Rights Defenders – Where are we now?” International Human Rights Committee
Virtual Event.
• “Poland and the Rule of Law: Where Are We Now?” International Human Rights Committee
Virtual Event.
• “Pakistan and Human Rights Defenders: Where Are We Now?” International Human Rights Committee
Virtual Event.
• "Structuring and Protecting Business Investments in the United States," (for Asian investors), Globalaw Annual Members Meeting
Dallas, TX.
• "Pathways to Employment in International Law," ABA Section of International Law
Miami, FL.
• "The Changing Regulation of the Changing International Legal Profession," ABA Section of International Law Conference
Washington, D.C.
• "Safeguarding Your Business Cross Border: How to Protect Corporate IP, Trade Secrets and Information Systems in a Global Economy," ABA Section of International Law Conference, Panel Co-Chair
Washington, D.C.
• "You Say Potatoe and I Say Potato: Negotiation of Deals across the Common Law/Civil Law Divide," Spring Meeting, ABA Section of International Law
New York, NY.
• "Doing Business in Japan, Choice of Legal Structure & Practical Pointers," Brown Bag Teleconference, Asia /Pacific Committee – ABA Section of International Law
Washington State
AT UNIVERSITIES:
• Seattle University School of Law, International Business Transactions course, Guest Lecturer (multiple times), Seattle, WA
• University of Washington School of Law, Seattle,
• Professional Mediation Skills Training Program, Coach
• ABA Pathways to Employment in International Law.
• Transnational Law course, Guest Lecturer (multiple times).
• International Contract Negotiation course, Guest Lecturer (multiple times).
• University of Washington Foster School of Business, Global Business Forum, Working in Virtual or Cross Cultural Teams, Guest Lecturer.
AT PROFESSIONAL EVENTS:
• "They Did What?! - Understanding Context in Cross Cultural Negotiations and ADR,” 26th Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference
Seattle, WA.
• “Dealing with ‘Difficult’ Parties - Lessons Learned in Mediating Transnational Disputes,” King County Bar Association, ADR Section
Seattle, WA.
• “Where Negotiations Can Go Wrong: Common American Misconceptions When Negotiating with Japanese,” Consul General of Japan and Japan Business Association Seattle, WA.
• "US-China Women's Leadership Forum: Professional Growth Advice for Attorneys," Washington State China Relations Council
Seattle, WA.
• "Empowering Women in the U.S. and Japan," Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
Bellevue, WA.
• "Top 7 Legal Concerns When Conducting Business in Japan," JETRO and University of Washington School of Law, Building a Business in Japan, Key Legal & Business Perspectives Program
Seattle, WA.
• "Going Global: How to Expand Overseas without Getting Lost in Translation," Washington State Bar Association, International Practice Section
Seattle, WA.
• "Views from the World of Practice: What Attributes and Skills are Needed for Global Practice," University of Washington School of Law International Seminar on Global Education
Seattle, WA.
• "Negotiating with the Japanese," Guest Lecturer, Working in Virtual or Cross Cultural Teams Curriculum, Global Business Forum, University of Washington Foster School of Business
Seattle, WA.
• “Summer Roadshow 2013: FY2014 IPPS Regulation Update and Board Governance
Harborview Campus, NJB Building, Seattle, WA.
• "Doing Business in Asia," Association of Corporate Counsel
Seattle, WA.
• "Hot Topics in Business Law," Co-Sponsored with the KCBA Business Law Section
Rainier Square Conference Center, Seattle, WA.
• "The Practitioner’s Guide to Taking Clients Global," International Law: Do’s & Don’ts of Doing Business in Asia, WSBA-CLE Seminar
Seattle, WA.
• "Anatomy of an M&A Deal - Session One: Legal Regimes, Deal Structures and General Legal Considerations," ABA Section of International Law, International M&A and Joint Venture Committee (Teleconference)
Seattle, WA.
• "Legal Implications for U.S. Companies Conducting Business in China," The Greater Seattle Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Seattle, WA.
• "Drafting LLC Agreements," National Business Institute Seminar
Seattle, WA.
• "Civil Dispute Management," King County Bar Association and Seattle University School of Law
Seattle, WA.
Sara P Sandford - Personal Statement
I have been honored throughout my career to work with wonderful colleagues and clients. The opportunity to join Judge Neville at Benchmark, working on alternative dispute resolution, is no exception. With so much conflict in the world, it is my pleasure to have a chance to help people resolve their differences with mutual respect, neutrality, compassion and careful consideration.
Over the years I have learned that engaged dialogue to find a solution that is acceptable to all involved in a controversy has a more lasting positive effect and, generally, leaves the parties more satisfied than with any other approach to resolving disputes, even if it often involves compromises by both parties. Mediation also wears less on the emotional and psychological well-being of the parties, and achieves faster results. If I can help in that process, I feel privileged to do so.
I work hard to create an environment of respect for all concerned, by listening without judgement, and trying my best to truly understand how the parties differ in their perspectives on the controversy at hand. I recognize that we each experience things differently and therefore that all parties can be absolutely right and sincere in their position, despite a difference in how they have experienced the same circumstances.
I recognize that parties who engage me to resolve a dispute are taking valuable time and spending valuable resources to try to achieve a workable outcome on an issue of importance. I commit myself to seeking the most efficient and effective process in pursing that aim with you.
Sincerely,
Sara Sandford