Sandra Marin Lautier

(she/her/hers)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Sandra Marin Lautier is a member of the firm’s Business Litigation Group, and represents and advises clients on all aspects of business litigation, including pre-litigation counseling, dispute resolution, and complex civil litigation.

    Commercial and Civil Litigation

    Sandra assists clients with business disputes in state and federal trial and appellate courts, and in arbitration. Sandra has represented clients in general commercial contractual disputes, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, unfair trade practices, commercial property disputes, mergers and acquisitions, civil rights, and products liability. Sandra has also represented managed care clients in disputes involving fraud, abuse and commercial contract disputes.

    Sandra’s clients range from Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and start-ups in a variety of sectors, including the aerospace, finance, manufacturing, chemicals and consumer products markets. Sandra’s clients include both domestic and international businesses. Her litigation experience includes consumer class actions, product liability litigation, and supply chain disputes.  Sandra advises businesses in developing practices and strategies to avoid U.S. litigation and advises companies in pre-litigation business-to-business disputes.   Sandra also counsels clients on the negotiation and drafting of contracts and business agreements.

    Sandra has also secured positive results for clients in arbitration in various tribunals, and assisted a client in favorably settling numerous collection cases.  Sandra’s courtroom experiences include representing a pro bono client, by appointment of a judge in the United States District Court of Connecticut, in a federal jury trial.

    Education Law

    Sandra represents private schools, colleges, and universities in a wide-range of civil litigation, including claims involving complex and sensitive subject matters.  She also regularly advises educational institutions on issues related to compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and strategizes with institutions on methods to avoid litigation.  

    Labor and Employment Law

    Sandra also represents businesses and other employers in claims involving discrimination, wrongful termination, noncompetition and confidentiality agreements, contracts, investigations, wage and hour, and other employment disputes. She has also represented employers in related federal and state administrative proceedings, including proceedings at the National Labor Relations Board, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division on Human Rights, and the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

    Prior to joining Robinson+Cole, Sandra was a legal extern for the State of Connecticut's Office of the General Counsel of the Governor, where she conducted research regarding the governor's policy initiatives.

    While attending law school, Sandra served as associate editor of the Connecticut Insurance Law Journal. She was also an intern in the chambers of United States District Court Judge Vanessa L. Bryant. She is fluent in Spanish.

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Represents individual homeowners who are challenging the constitutionality of a New York municipality’s law which regulates short-term rentals.

      • Obtained multiple default orders from court in connection with complaints against property owners who failed to pay money owed for mechanic’s liens, resulting in the recovery of between $100,000 to $250,000 for each property.

      • Obtained favorable settlement for some of a chemical company’s claims in a multi-million dollar lawsuit over the alleged failure to supply chemical goods, while additional claims are pending. 

      • Assisted in obtaining summary judgment on a narrow exception to the Fair Labor Standards Act in litigation against employer in a class action in which former employees claimed to be owed wages.

      • Drafted motions in ongoing litigation in which health insurance company client is seeking to recover fees.

      • Argued motion to dismiss in pending litigation in which clients have been sued for over $10 million for alleged breach of contract and fraud.

    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      Connecticut Hispanic Bar Association
      Former Board Member and Treasurer

      New York State Bar Association

      Connecticut Bar Association

      Hispanic National Bar Association

      Oliver Ellsworth American Inn of Court

      International Bar Association
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Robinson+Cole Pro Bono Award recipient, 2019

      Recognized as a New Leader in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune, 2022

      Named to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) First 100 Plus Class of 2022 for demonstrating leadership and commitment to improving the lives of domestic violence survivors throughout Connecticut.

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      The Grace Academy
      Member, Board of Directors (2020 - Present)

      University of Hartford
      The President’s Community Advisory Council on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2021 - Present)

      The Bushnell Performing Arts Center
      Ambassador (2023 - 2026)

      Horizons at the Ethel Walker School
      Former Member of the Board of Directors
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Prelitigation Steps for Trade Secret and Noncompete Cases," published in Lexis Practice Advisor, co-authored with Matthew T. Miklave and Ian T. Clarke-Fisher (Updated, July 2019)
      • » more info
      • View article

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Resolving Cross-Border M&A Disputes," co-presented with Jeffrey J. White, during the American Bar Association's Business Law Section Virtual Spring Meeting. (4/21/2021)
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      "Public Sector Employment, Labor, and Civil Rights Issues," co-presented with Matthew T. Miklave, 2017 Northeast Regional Tax Collectors and Treasurers Association Conference (8/28/2017)
      • » more info

      "Interplay Between Workers' Compensation, FMLA, ADA and Other Benefits," co-presented with Attorney Rachel Kushel for Sterling Education Services (12/15/2015)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • June 14, 2023

        Jeff White and Sandra Marin Lautier Appointed to Leadership Roles with The Bushnell

        • » more info
      • March 25, 2022

        Connecticut Law Tribune to Honor Eight Robinson+Cole Lawyers During Connecticut Legal Awards

        • » more info
      • September 13, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Give Presentation to Government Finance Officials

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      • October 14, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Write Article for Lexis Practice Advisor

        • » more info
      • June 6, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors George W. Crawford Black Bar Association's 2016 Annual Dinner

      • April 26, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Elected to CHBA Board

        • » more info
      • April 28, 2015

        Hartford Lawyers Elected to CHBA Board Positions

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      R+C News Releases

      • December 22, 2022

        Robinson+Cole Elects Five Partners

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        • View article
      • April 18, 2022

        Alexandra Kritzman, Sandra Lautier, Stephani Roman, and Annecca Smith Named to CCADV’s First 100 Plus Class of 2022

        • » more info
        • View article
      • February 7, 2017

        Sandra Marin Elected to Horizons at The Ethel Walker School Board of Directors

        • » more info
        • View article
      • December 11, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Welcomes New Lawyers