Saghar Esfandiarifard is a litigation partner and trial lawyer in the Los Angeles office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP, who focuses on complex commercial litigation. Her practice includes, high stakes products liability cases, multidistrict litigation, class action litigation, antitrust, securities fraud, government enforcement and regulatory matters, internal investigations, restructuring litigation, entertainment law, and white-collar and criminal defense. Saghar has litigated cases for and represented prominent companies, including: 3M Company, Volkswagen AG, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Abbott Laboratories, PepsiCo, Cigna Corporation, J. Crew Group, Sanderson Farms and Eli Lilly and Company.
Saghar’s experience in internal investigations includes an array of industries and issues, including #metoo allegations, race discrimination and employment-related matters.
Her white-collar and regulatory practice includes representation of clients before government agencies, including in connection with investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Department of Justice, United States Attorneys’ Offices (Civil and Criminal) and the Federal Trade Commission.
Saghar represented 3M Company in the Combat Arms Earplug multidistrict litigation — the nation’s largest MDL ever filed. Saghar was a member of the trial team that was recently recognized by The American Lawyer as “Litigator of the Week” for the complete defense verdict following a two-week jury trial. Serving as trial counsel, Saghar was also named Runner-Up “Litigator of the Week” after securing a second complete defense verdict on behalf of 3M.
Saghar further maintains a strong pro bono practice, including successfully challenging a prisoner’s 25 year solitary confinement tenure in the Second Circuit — the second longest solitary confinement in the history of the New York State Justice system, providing immediate assistance to immigrants impacted by the January 2017 executive order barring admission to the United States, and representation of immigrants in removal proceedings at the trial and appellate levels.
Within Kirkland, Saghar is involved with a number of Firm committees, including Kirkland’s Institute for Trial Advocacy, the Pro Bono Management Committee and serving as Co-Chair of the Women’s Affinity Group for the Los Angeles office. Saghar is currently a Board Member for the Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice, a nonprofit organization that provides legal services for survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
