Sara K. Aranjo leads Morgan Lewis’s international arbitration, dispute resolution, and global investigations practice across the Middle East and Africa. Sara focuses her practice on international arbitration and dispute prevention and resolution, primarily in cases with cross-border elements. She advises and represents the interests of governments, semi-governments, and corporations in proceedings arising out of inbound and outbound investments in the Middle East and Africa across a range of sectors, including energy, real estate, hospitality, construction, banking and finance, distribution, and technology, media, and telecommunications. Sara speaks Arabic, French, and English.
With her significant background in international arbitration and dispute prevention and resolution, Sara has experience with arbitral proceedings conducted under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), Abu Dhabi Commercial Conciliation and Arbitration Centre (ADCCAC), GCC Centre for Commercial Arbitration, and Organization for Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA) rules, as well as with ad hoc proceedings.
Having practiced in London, Paris, and Beirut, she has deep familiarity with both civil and common law legal traditions. In addition to her work as counsel, Sara sits as an arbitrator and mediator.
Sara has been involved in more than 100 proceedings in the Arabic, French, and English languages across jurisdictions in Algeria, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, in addition to France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea.
Sara has been described by clients as “one of the brightest arbitration lawyers” who has “constantly displayed razor-sharp intelligence along with outstanding strategical skills” (GAR 100, 15th ed.) as well as a practitioner with “great advocacy skills” (GAR 100, 14th ed.). Chambers noted that Sara has “an exceptional level of intellect [and] does not get deterred no matter the stakes or the pressure.” Sara has been commended in Who’s Who Legal for “her outstanding performance for her clients,” having “developed innovative and victorious strategies.” The Legal 500 described Sara as “an A-class lawyer who marries impeccable technical and legal skills. She is very reliable and never disappoints, having the unique ability of turning difficult and challenging issues into winning points.”
Beyond her law practice, Sara regularly publishes articles and speaks about international arbitration and dispute resolution. As a faculty member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Diploma in International Arbitration, she lectures on the burden and standard of proof in international arbitration. Sara also serves as an adjunct professor of law at the Université Paris II – Panthéon-Assas, where she lectures on comparative judicial and legal systems, namely civil law, common law, and Islamic law.
Sara supports several international organizations and initiatives. She serves as a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris. She is a member of the Court of Arbitration of the Swiss Centre and the inaugural Arbitration Court of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration. Sara serves as a deputy secretary-general of the International Bar Association (IBA), where she co-chairs the IBA Arab Regional Forum and the in-house counsel group of the IBA Arbitration Committee.
Prior to joining Morgan Lewis, Sara was a partner at one of the largest law firms in the Middle East and North Africa.
As Counsel and Legal Expert
As Arbitrator
Ranked, Dispute Resolution, United Arab Emirates, Chambers Global (2024)
Recognized, Global Elite Thought Leader, Arbitration, Who’s Who Legal (2024)
Recommended, Arbitration, Who’s Who Legal (2024)
Recognized, 45 Under 45 Leading International Arbitration Lawyers, Global Arbitration Review (2023)
Ranked, Most Highly Regarded Arbitration Partners in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Future Leaders, Who’s Who Legal (2023)
Ranked, Arbitration Private Practice Power list: Middle East, The Legal 500 (2023)
Ranked, 50 Super Lawyers in the Middle East and North Africa, Asian Legal Business (2022)
Middle East Rising Star Lawyer Award, Law.com International (2019)
Ranked, Dispute Resolution - UAE, Chambers & Partners (2023)
Member, ICC International Court of Arbitration
Member, Court of Arbitration of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration (SCCA)
Member, Court of Arbitration of the Swiss Centre
Deputy Secretary-General, International Bar Association (IBA)
Co-Chair, In-house counsel group of the IBA Arbitration Committee
Co-Chair, IBA Arab Regional Forum
Member, French Arbitration Committee
Board Member, ArbitralWomen
Advisory Board Member, Sorbonne University of Abu Dhabi
Track Leader, ICC Commission Task Force on Arbitration and ADR
Member, Steering Committee of ICC UAE Commission on Arbitration and ADR
Legal Expert, DIFC Courts Arbitration Division Working Group
International Board Member, Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre
Member, Board of Trustees, Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Centre
Member, Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) Pledge Middle East Subcommittee
Member, Steering Committee, Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers (REAL)
Member, Executive Committee, Rising Arbitrators’ Initiative (RAI)
Director for Asia and the Middle East, International Council for Commercial Arbitration (Y-ICCA)
Faculty Member, Remote Oral Advocacy Programme (ROAP) by Delos
MENA Regional Editor, Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP) by Delos
Member, Paris MENA Legal Club
Member, ICC Arab Group
Faculty Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
Adjunct Professor of Law, Université Paris II – Panthéon Assas