Sarah Erickson André is a litigator who represents clients facing business disputes all over the world. Sarah focuses in representing clients in high-profile appeals, art restitution claims, and in prominent class action cases.
I focus my practice on three main areas:
I enjoy the challenge of creating a strategy for a case on appeal – this can be the difference between winning and losing for a client. I review trial court records and make assessments based on both current and emerging legal principles to craft arguments likely to be successful on appeal. I was recently involved in a precedent-setting win for a financial services client facing a putative student loan class action before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
My experience involves artworks and cultural property allegedly confiscated or lost during times of conflict. Several of the matters I have handled have shaped the state of the law today and helped define the parameters of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1602, et al. (“FSIA”). I am part of the team that won a decisive victory, as the district court recognized that Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation of Madrid, Spain, is the rightful owner of a masterpiece. I also represent the Republic of Hungary in a case of first impression in an action challenging Hungary’s possession of more than forty artworks.
I represent clients in complex commercial litigation matters in all industries. I have secured favorable results defending clients against a wide variety of claims, including: breach of contract, copyright and trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty and fraud.
I have been closely monitoring the federal courts as they wrestle with the scope, parameters and application of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. Some circuits have defined the Act’s scope broadly, while others are cautious in the face of conflicting principles of customary international law.
KIFI/KIDK News – Idaho | December 22, 2020
This article covers an amicus brief filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals by three former Idaho attorneys general, detailing why Idaho House Bill 500—which bars transgender women and girls from participating in school sports and subjects all women and girl athletes to the threat of invasive testing—is unconstitutional. In addition to the former AGs, more than 175 athletes joined Athlete Ally and the Women’s Sports Foundation in signing a brief, and the National Women’s Law Center and more than 60 other women’s rights and civil rights groups also filed an amicus brief. Los Angeles Intellectual Property partner Seth Levy and Complex Commercial Disputes partner Sarah Erickson André, and Washington, D.C. Government Investigations & White Collar Defense partner Adam Tarosky are representing the former AGs.
ARTnews | August 19, 2020
This article discusses a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that unanimously affirms that NP’s Spanish client, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation, is the rightful owner of a prominent artwork by Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. The article quotes Los Angeles Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Arts & Cultural Institutions team leader Thaddeus Stauber on the decision. The NP team also includes Complex Commercial Disputes partner Sarah Andre, Intellectual Property counsel Aaron Brian, and Labor & Employment associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan, all of Los Angeles.
Artnet News | August 18, 2020
This article discusses a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that unanimously affirms that NP’s Spanish client, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation, is the rightful owner of a prominent artwork by Impressionist painter Camille Pissarro. The article quotes Los Angeles Complex Commercial Disputes partner and Arts & Cultural Institutions team leader Thaddeus Stauber on the decision. The NP team also includes Complex Commercial Disputes partner Sarah Andre, Intellectual Property counsel Aaron Brian, and Labor & Employment associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan, all of Los Angeles. Click here to read the article.
American Lawyer | April 30, 2019
In the following media coverage, Los Angeles Complex Commercial Disputes partner Thad Stauber is quoted on Tuesday’s federal court ruling that found the Madrid-based Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation is the rightful owner of a Camille Pissarro painting. Thad and Los Angeles partner Sarah André, counsel Aaron Brian, and associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan represented the Foundation in this matter.
Bloomberg | April 30, 2019
In the following media coverage, Los Angeles Complex Commercial Disputes partner Thad Stauber is quoted on Tuesday’s federal court ruling that found the Madrid-based Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection Foundation is the rightful owner of a Camille Pissarro painting. Thad and Los Angeles partner Sarah André, counsel Aaron Brian, and associate Irene Scholl-Tatevosyan represented the Foundation in this matter.
Law360 | September 05, 2018
This article mentions Complex Commercial Disputes partners Chris Mason, Sarah André, Dan Deane and Seth Horvath as counsel for The New York Bar Foundation and The New York State Bar Association in an amicus brief—filed with the United States Supreme Court—in support of the approval by a California District Court, and the Ninth Circuit, of Google’s settlement involving a “cy pres” remedy in a privacy-related case.
University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law - Managing Editor
North Park College, B.A., cum laude
California
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
District of Columbia
U.S. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
Sarah was selected, through a peer-review survey, for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 in the field of Art Law. Sarah has been listed in Best Lawyers since 2016.
Sarah has also been recognized as a Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for 2014 and 2015.
In December 2011, the judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit elected Sarah to serve a three-year term as an appellate lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference.
Member, Federal Bar Association
Member, Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles
Member, Los Angeles County Bar Association