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Tatiana Sainati

Litigation Partner at Wiley Rein LLP

Tatiana Sainati's profile photo
LocationWashingtonDistrict of Columbia, United States
Current roleLitigation PartnerWiley Rein LLP · since Mar 2018
Government service2yrsCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit · Iran-United States Claims Tribunal

About

Tatiana combines high-level experience in complex litigation and arbitration with a deep understanding of international, comparative, and human rights law to assist clients in avoiding, navigating, and resolving disputes involving investments in emerging markets, space and satellite technology, renewable energies, and the healthcare sector.

Named to “DC's Power Women of Law” List by DCA Live (2024), Tatiana specializes in developing a comprehensive understanding of her clients’ business goals and needs to craft tailored strategies to win high-stakes, bet-the-company litigations and arbitrations, adhere to internal and external stakeholder expectations, and avoid incurring reputational or operational risk.

Prior to joining Wiley, Tatiana served as a Legal Adviser to Judge Rosemary Barkett on the Iran-United States Claims Tribunal in the Hague, advising on complex, politically sensitive state-to-state cases, and as a law clerk to the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Roles

Mar 2018–Present
Current role

Litigation Partner

Wiley Rein LLP

Washington | Batimore, District of Columbia

Civil LitigationInternational Trade LawLitigation Support SpecialistHuman Rights
Nov 2016–Mar 2018
Former role

Associate

Dechert LLP

Washington | Batimore, District of Columbia

Legal Officers and Practitioners
Aug 2015–Aug 2016
Former role

Law clerk

Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

(appointed)California Southern District

Law ClerkResearchLegal Assistance

Served as judicial law clerk to the Honorable M. Margaret McKeown, researching and drafting opinions, orders, and bench memoranda.

Oct 2013–Sep 2014
Former role

Legal Advisor to Judge Rosemary Barkett

Iran-United States Claims Tribunal, The Hague

(appointed)Netherlands

ResearchInternational Trade LawLegal Assistance

Assist U.S. Arbitrators in all aspects of Tribunal practice by preparing bench memos, drafting deliberation papers, and researching international arbitration practice, public and commercial international law, and domestic U.S. and Iranian law.

May 2012–Aug 2012
Former role

Summer Legal Intern

Business and Professional People for the Public Interest

Chicago, Illinois

ResearchHuman Rights

Researched and analyzed implementation of right to housing and right to education in Chicago.

Jan 2012–Dec 2012
Former role

Certified Law Student

Duke AIDS Policy Project

Durham, North Carolina

Education, Curriculum and TeachingPublic Health Educator

Conducted education and outreach to inform communities, advocates and health care providers about the Affordable Care Act (ACA); researched and analyzed the impact of the ACA on vulnerable and at-risk populations.

Aug 2011–Dec 2011
Former role

Certified Law Student

Duke AIDS Legal Project

Durham, North Carolina

Civil LitigationHuman Rights

Represented multiple clients in standby guardianship, discrimination and disability proceedings.

Jun 2011–Aug 2011
Former role

Summer Associate

Documentation Center of Cambodia

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Technical Writing and EditingLegal

Prepared an independent, article-length memorandum on the role of the Co-Investigating Judges at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC); memorandum was submitted to the Court’s Trial Chamber as a resource to assist in determining the scope of the duty to investigate crimes in cases before the Court.
Adapted memorandum for publication in DC-Cam’s monthly magazine.
Monitored and reported on the trials currently ongoing before the Court.
Conducted interviews and trainings as part of DC-Cam’s “Victim Education Project” to teach survivors of the Khmer Rouge about their rights before the ECCC, and to collect stories from victims and survivors.

Jan 2008–Jan 2010
Former role

Marketing and Communications Manager

ECHO Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota

Public Health EducatorMedia and CommunicationWellbeing, Community / Social ServicesHuman Rights

Managed production of multimedia educational health and civic education programming in 12 languages.
Coordinated outreach efforts to identify and address refugee communities’ key health and education concerns.
Developed and implemented effective marketing strategies to increase awareness of ECHO’s work.

Jan 2007–Jan 2008
Former role

Account Manager

MKDM

Charlottesville, Virginia

Wellbeing, Community / Social Services

Developed and executed turnkey marketing and fundraising campaigns for social service and advocacy nonprofits.

Sep 2006–Jun 2007
Former role

Team Leader

Jumpstart

Charlottesville, Virginia

Education, Curriculum and TeachingWellbeing, Community / Social Services

Coached team, led educational activities and implemented strategies to improve student achievement

Representative matters

Experience

May 2025

Regularly assists clients in navigating and successfully resolving investigations and consumer class actions regarding false advertising, consumer protection and privacy, and environmental laws at the state and federal levels. Represents a real estate developer in a Singapore-seated arbitration to resolve disputes involving the construction of a planned city. Represents a shipping and mining company in a commercial arbitration, seated in Geneva, in a dispute involving sovereign cargo rights. Secured a favorable settlement for a renewable energy company in parallel arbitration proceedings, seated in London and Singapore, arising from a dispute involving the sale and marketing of proprietary technologies in the Asian market. Successfully defended a multinational defense contractor in parallel proceedings in foreign and U.S. courts in multiple disputes related to Foreign Military Sales Program contracts. Secured a victory for a large Central European oil and gas company in parallel arbitration proceedings involving Fair and Equitable Treatment (“FET”) claims and corruption allegations under the Energy Charter Treaty. Significantly reduced the damages awarded to a mining company on behalf of sovereign client in dispute alleging breach of the FET standard. Secured a favorable settlement for a satellite company in an ICC arbitration with an intergovernmental organization concerning funding obligations and licensing rights. Conducted internal investigations to lay groundwork for arbitrations involving multiple sovereign states and novel issues of jurisdiction and sovereign immunity. Advises health care companies in disputes with pharmacy benefits managers, including developing winning strategies to enforce rights and obligations arising from PBM Agreements. Conducts internal audit and provides recommendations to major health insurer to avoid reputational, operational, or litigation risk in connection with allegations of potential antitrust violations.

Recognition

Honors

Litigation Star | Future Star | 40 & Under

Benchmark Litigation guide

May 2025

Included in Benchmark Litigation guide as a “Litigation Star” (2023-2024), a “Future Star” (2024-2025), and named to the Guide's “40 & Under” List

Ones to Watch

The Best Lawyers in America directory

May 2025

Included in The Best Lawyers in America directory of “Ones to Watch” for Commercial Litigation (2021-2025) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (2023-2025)

DC's Power Women of Law

DCA Live

May 2025

Named to “DC's Power Women of Law” List by DCA Live (2024)

Publications & speeches

Trump Administration Requests Pauses in Several Supreme Court Cases to Reconsider Biden Administration Policies

Energy Law Report

April 2025

Link

AG Bondi Refocuses DOJ Priorities in New Guidance Documents

Wiley.law

February 2025

On February 5, newly confirmed Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a series of guidance documents refocusing U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) priorities for the new Administration. In addition to effectuating many of President Trump’s Executive Orders, Attorney General Bondi reinstituted prior Trump Administration guidance, established working groups and task forces, and reallocated Department resources. Importantly, many Executive Orders impact enforcement priorities and DOJ components tasked with traditional white collar enforcement. With more changes likely coming, companies should evaluate whether these policy changes could impact ongoing or future matters with the Department as well as existing compliance programs.

Link

Trump Administration Requests Pauses in Several Supreme Court Cases to Reconsider Biden Administration Policies

Wiley.law

January 2025

On January 24, 2025, the Trump Administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to pause briefing in several cases on the current merits docket. In making the request, Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris explained that the new Administration needs to reevaluate prior agency positions in three cases involving the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and one case involving the U.S. Department of Education.[1] These requests could signal a departure from the outgoing Administration’s policies and legal positions in cases pending before the Supreme Court, and may provide critical insights into the new Administration’s legal and policy agenda.

Link

"Do You Want to Know a Secret?" Courts and Agencies Unwittingly Join Hackers in Exposing Secret Information

The American Bar Association's Litigation Journal

December 2024

Link

9th Circ. Ruling Shows International Arbitration Jurisdictional Snags

Law360

August 2023

Link

Dictator Deluxe: Chechnya's Eccentric Strongman

Wiley.law — PODCAST

May 2025

Join hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati as they explore the captivating and controversial life of the current head of the Chechen Republic. In this episode, they unpack one man's rise to power, including his opulent lifestyle and the dark underbelly of his regime. From lavish palaces and exotic pets to allegations of human rights abuses and corruption, this episode uncovers the many facets of a leader who is equal parts bling, violence, nationalism, and religion. Discover how this cult of personality has shaped Chechnya and the implications for its future.

Link

Oil, Opulence, and One Crystal-Encrusted Michael Jackson Glove

Wiley.law — PODCAST

April 2025

Join hosts Tatiana Sainati and Diana Shaw as they delve into the harrowing history of corruption and violence in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Discover how a single political family managed to siphon off the nation's vast oil wealth and amass an astonishing portfolio of assets, including 11 luxury sports cars, lavish mansion estates, and a collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia. Tune in to learn about the international efforts to hold these kleptocrats accountable.

Link

Peeling Back the Bruising History of the Banana Trade

Wiley.law — PODCAST

March 2025

Link

The Iron Fist of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria's Ruthless Dictator

Wiley.law — PODCAST

February 2025

Join hosts Tatiana Sainati and Diana Shaw as they delve into the gripping story of General Sani Abacha, the Nigerian dictator who embezzled billions of dollars and ruled with an iron fist from 1993 to 1998. Known for his ruthless tactics, including a personal security force trained in North Korea and the violent suppression of opposition members, Abacha's relentless pursuit of wealth and power ultimately led to his downfall. Tune in to learn more about the international efforts to recover Nigeria's stolen wealth and the lasting impact of Abacha's regime on the country.

Link

"Dumplings,” Diamonds, & Plea Deals: Brazil’s Operation Car Wash

Wicked Coin — PODCAST

December 2024

Join hosts Diana Shaw and Tatiana Sainati as they delve into the gripping tale of Operation Car Wash, one of the largest corruption scandals in history. Discover how a small money laundering investigation into a car wash unraveled a web of institutionalized crime, reaching the highest levels of Brazil's political and commercial spheres.

Link