Sara Susnjar
Partner
With more than 15 years of experience appearing before U.S., E.U., and French regulators, Sara has consistently guided clients through the intricacies of domestic and cross-border regulatory matters. Her practice encompasses advisory services, implementation, investigations, and disputes—most notably in the financial services and banking, health care, technology and new media, and telecommunications sectors.
Sara is a multi-lingual attorney and concentrates her primary practice on global investigations, compliance, and regulatory enforcement matters. Sara assists clients in matters involving economic sanctions, anti-money laundering (AML) laws and regulations, E.U./French regulatory approvals across various sectors, data protection and privacy, AI, anti-bribery/anti-corruption, and digital assets/blockchain. She regularly counsels on governance and compliance issues, including the development of policies and procedures, due diligence relating to third parties and joint venture partners, and internal reviews and audits of global operations. Sara has also represented many of her clients in high profile arbitrations (International Court of Arbitration, London Court of International Arbitration, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, United Nations Commission on International Trade Law and other institutions) and cross-border litigations and is recognized as a leader in the field.
She concentrates her secondary practice on complex cross-border business transactions with a particular focus on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity. She has advised and represented some of the biggest technology and media-market players—including private and public corporations, equity funds, and portfolio companies—as well as clients in industries such as business & financial services, consumer products, manufacturing, and health care.
In addition to her experience with other international law firms, Sara has worked for governments and international organizations, including the following:
- United States Department of Justice
- Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights
- Delegation of the European Union to the United States
- British Parliament
- United States Congress
Sara has been recognized by many leading legal directories, including:
- Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Global Cyber Lawyers”—Recognized for Global Regulatory, inc. Data Protection, Privacy (2024–2025)
- Lexology Index: Arbitration—Recognized as a “Future Leader” for International Arbitration (2025)
- Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration—Recognized as a “Future Leader” for International Arbitration, Partners (2019–2024)
- Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration—Recognized as a “Future Leader” for International Arbitration, Non-Partners (2017–2018)
- Best Lawyers, Regulatory Practice – Paris, France since 2022, Partners
- Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), Co-chair, Paris
- Paris Office Intern Recruiting Committee
- Chicago Bar Association
- ABA Section of International Law
- USCIB ExPat Subcommittee
- International Association of Privacy Professionals
Credentials
Education
Sara received her J.D. from St. Louis University in 2007, and her LL.M. in European and international business law from the University of Paris IX Dauphine in 2008. She received a double B.A. in English and political science with a third major in speech communications from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 2004.
Admissions
- Paris, France
- Illinois
Related Insights & News
Speaking Engagements
- "The EU AI Governance: Bridging Policy & Innovation", Winston Decoding AI Law Webinar Series, Speaker, April 2025
- “Multijurisdictional Compliance: Navigating Reporting, Investigations, and Conduct Across Multiple Jurisdictions” The Anti-Bribery & Corruption Forum 2025, Speaker, March 18, 2025
- "The EU AI Act: Exploring the Legal Impacts to U.S Companies" Bloomberg Law Webinar, Speaker, Apr. 25, 2024
- “The EU and UK Approach to AI: Regulatory Framework for the Deployment & Use of Generative AI,” Winston Decoding AI Law Webinar Series, Speaker, Jan. 24, 2024
- “U.S. and International Foreign Direct Investment Review Regimes,” Winston Hot Topics Seminar, Speaker, 2023
- “Complying with PIPL, a China, U.S. & E.U. Conversation”, UIC Center on IP, Information & Privacy Law, Speaker, 2023
- “Data Privacy & Security” and “Regulatory Issues in the UK and EU Life Sciences / Tech / Pharma,” Winston Health Care & Life Sciences Summit, Speaker, 2021–2022
- “Future of International Arbitration: The Business Case for Diversity”, ICC Young Arbitrators Forum, London, UK, Speaker, 2015
- “HSBC Anti-Money Laundering & Sanctions Training”, Trainer to HSBC Executives in the UK and France on money laundering and white collar crime, 2014–present
- “The Future of Arbitration”, University of Chicago, Guest Lecturer, 2014
- “Common Law vs. Civil Law – Distinctions and Similarities”, University of Cergy, Pontoise, Guest Lecturer, 2008
Publications
- Overview of M&A laws and regulations applicable in France,The Legal 500: Mergers & Acquisitions 2025, April 2025
- Co-Author, “Digital Asset Mergers and Acquisitions” Chapter, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Regulation 2025, Global Legal Insights
- Anti-Corruption & Bribery Comparative Guide, Mondaq (publication pending)
- Winston's Spotlight on Regulatory Cross Border Blog, Regular Contributor
- European Parliament Endorses the New Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), W&S Non-Fungible Insights: Blockchain Decrypted Blog, 2023
- International Comparative Legal Guide: Drug & Medical Device Regulatory & Litigation, Global Legal Group, 2020–2021
- Mediation: What In-House Counsel Expects, International Bar Association Legal Practice Division, 2013
- PRIME Tribunal, the New Way of Arbitrating Financial Disputes, Financial Services Update, 2012
- The Taboo of Ethnic Statistics, Eurowatch Journal: Reporting on Legal and Regulatory Developments Affecting Foreign Companies Operating in the European Union, 2008
May 7, 2025
March 18, 2025
December 16, 2024
Winston & Strawn International Arbitration Partners Recognized in Lexology Index: Arbitration 2025
November 22, 2024
November 15, 2024