
Scott T. Sakiyama
Partner
Biography
Scott T. Sakiyama, a Partner in the Chicago office of Buckley LLP, represents clients in a wide range of enforcement and litigation matters. His work includes the representation of clients in high-stakes litigation throughout the country in cases involving federal and state consumer protection statutes as well complex commercial disputes. He also regularly represents clients in enforcement matters before federal and state agencies including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and state attorneys general.
Mr. Sakiyama has an active appellate practice in federal and state courts throughout the United States. He has been involved in the SEC’s enforcement program including the Wells process and the emerging issues surrounding the agency’s whistleblower programs and employee protections thereunder.
Mr. Sakiyama’s recent representations include:
- Defending mortgage servicers in putative class actions regarding inspection and convenience fees
- Defending a fintech platform in litigation with a state attorney general involving applicability of the federal preemption of state usury laws
- Representing large banks in fair lending litigation
- Defending a large jewelry store company in class actions regarding practices related to credit card applications
- Representing a large bank in a CFPB investigation of its practices
- Representing a nonbank institution in a DOJ investigation alleging fair lending violations
- Representing a former chief operating officer of a publicly traded engine manufacturing company in lawsuit alleging violations of the whistleblower protections under the Sarbanes-Oxley and Dodd-Frank Acts
Mr. Sakiyama is a member of the firm’s Diversity Committee. He has an active pro bono practice that includes criminal and civil rights matters. Mr. Sakiyama also has been appointed to serve as a member of the Chicago Bar Association’s Judicial Evaluation Committee’s Investigative Division and as a commissioner on the Village of Oak Park’s Community Relations Commission.
Mr. Sakiyama received his J.D. from Washington University in 2010 (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif). During law school, he served as Chief Articles Editor for the Washington University Law Review and was awarded the Jack Garden Humanitarian Award for his contributions to the school’s community. Mr. Sakiyama received his B.S.F.S. from Georgetown University in 2002.
In The News
Buckley promotes six to partner
WASHINGTON, DC (Feb. 8, 2022) – Buckley LLP announced that it promoted Ali Abugheida, Bradley Marcus, Ryan Pollard, Sherry-Maria Safchuk, Scott Sakiyama, and Jay Williams to partner from counsel. “These six lawyers, from four of our offices, have consistently provided outstanding service and...
Press ReleasesBuckley Sandler announces four counsel promotions for 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 2, 2019) – Buckley Sandler LLP today announced the promotion of four associates to counsel, effective Jan. 1, 2019. “We are pleased to recognize these four outstanding attorneys who have consistently provided excellent service on behalf of our clients,” said Co-Managing...
Press ReleasesBuckley Sandler’s Representation Noted in Law360 Article, “HSBC Says High Court Ruling Ends Predatory-Lending Suit”
Buckley Sandler’s representation was noted in an August 8, 2017 Law360 article, “HSBC Says High Court Ruling Ends Predatory-Lending Suit.” The article discussed HSBC’s request to dismiss a suit in which the company could be held accountable for discriminatory lending in Cook County Illinois, saying...
In The News
Publications
"No end in sight: Biometrics litigation trends" by Elizabeth E. McGinn, Amanda R. Lawrence, Scott T. Sakiyama and Michael Rosenberg (CSLR)
Modern biometrics applications are myriad with more continually being developed. They allow users to unlock devices, make payments, detect theft, track time and much more. These applications are not overlooked by the plaintiffs’ bar. Since 2019, more than 1,000 class action lawsuits have been filed...
Articles"This message will self-destruct in 5 seconds" by Scott T. Sakiyama (Corporate Compliance Insights)
Howard Baker’s quote – “it is almost always the cover-up rather than the event that causes trouble” – has taken on significance in recent cases involving e-discovery and electronic messaging. Courts increasingly view the preservation of communications as a rote, ordinary-course business practice...
Articles"The Edge Act: Another avenue for removal" by Amanda R. Lawrence, Scott T. Sakiyama, and Nancy H. Turner (American Bar Association)
As any first-year law student could tell you, “Any civil action brought in a State court of which the district courts of the United States have original jurisdiction, may be removed by the defendant or the defendants, to the district court of the United States . . . where such action is pending.”...
Articles"Navigating today’s biometric landscape" by Elizabeth E. McGinn, Scott T. Sakiyama, Magda Gathani, and Garylene D. Javier (Cybersecurity Law Report)
Biometrics-based authentication of payments and other transactions has been on the rise for the past several years, promising unparalleled convenience and security for consumers. However, the distinctive nature of biometric features that confers its advantages is also the source of the technology’s...
Articles"The federal mandatory initial discovery pilot project—18 months in" by Amanda R. Lawrence and Scott T. Sakiyama (American Bar Association)
The Judicial Conference of the United States is considering drastic changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure that could result in significantly accelerated time frames for the commencement of discovery. The Judicial Conference began testing these changes in a pilot program, and the...
Articles"Intra-franchise no-poach agreements: Recent developments and trends" by Adam Miller and Scott T. Sakiyama (Bloomberg Law)
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson has obtained binding settlement agreements from 23 prominent franchisors in the nine months since he announced an initiative to eliminate no-poach clauses nationwide, and he has already expanded beyond the fast-food industry. Scrutiny of the clauses, which...
Articles"Practical considerations for litigating proportionality" by Elizabeth E. McGinn, Scott T. Sakiyama, and Brian W. Bartholomay (Law360)
After years of discussion regarding how the rules of discovery might be improved, amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure became effective on Dec. 1, 2015. One of the more prominent amendments involved FRCP 26(b)(1), which was updated to allow discovery of relevant, nonprivileged...
Articles
Education
- J.D., Washington University, 2010 (magna cum laude, Order of the Coif)
- B.S.F.S., Georgetown University, 2002
Admissions
- Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois