Sarah Nakamoto focuses her practice in defending companies against product liability, negligence, and general liability claims in state and federal courts, with an emphasis on the following industries: automotive; off-road vehicles and watercraft; amusement parks; appliances; medical devices; and other consumer products. She has defended companies in cases involving catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death. Her work includes all aspects of the litigation process, including motion practice, witness preparation, discovery, and pretrial preparation. Sarah has deposed hundreds of plaintiffs and fact witnesses and has defended depositions of corporate representatives in various high-stakes litigation.
Defended American multinational automotive manufacturer against catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and significant property damage claims related to rollover accidents, crashworthiness, airbag performance, tire aging, seatbelts, seatback performance, post-collision fires, and occupant protection systems
Defended multinational amusement park in cases involving premises liability claims and alleged personal injury
Defended an American multinational appliances manufacturer in a water loss subrogation case involving a refrigerator
Defended leading water heater manufacturer against negligence and product liability claims
Defended a U.S. based medical device company against personal injury claims related to allegations of electrocution from a surgical suction pump
Defended a U.S. based medical device company against allegations of personal injury involving cervical spine hardware
Defended domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers of motorcycles and off-road vehicles in consumer warranty litigation
Defended domestic and foreign manufacturers and suppliers of personal watercraft in consumer warranty litigation
Defended an American multinational automotive manufacturer in state and federal court, including Judicial Council Coordinated Proceedings (JCCP) and Multidistrict Litigation (MDL), against allegations of breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, and Song-Beverly Act (California’s Lemon Law) violations
Defended a manufacturer of fall protection equipment against allegations of personal injury involving a personal fall arrest system
Defended property owner against allegations of personal injury related to a fireplace on the premises
Represented an American operator of assisted living communities in defense of a proposed class action involving allegations of insufficient staffing, misrepresentation, and fraud
Represented individuals applying for a U Visa nonimmigrant status
University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (J.D., 2016)
CALI Awards for Highest Grade in Negotiations, Trial Advocacy I, Japanese Legal System, and Employment Law Clinic
Senior Technology Editor, Hastings Business Law Journal (2015-2016)
Staff Editor, Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal (2014-2015)
Evidence Teaching Assistant (2015)
Legal Writing and Research Teaching Assistant (2014)
Remedies Research Assistant (2014)
University of Southern California (B.A., Political Science, cum laude, 2012)
Minor in Law and Society
Blackstonians Pre-Law Honor Society
Staff Writer, Neon Tommy: Annenberg Digital News
USC Mock Trial Team
American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Leadership Counsel on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Pathfinder Program (2022)