Sharon leads the firm’s management-focused employment law practice. The firm's clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries. She handles all manner of employment litigation, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour cases, employee misconduct, and theft of trade secrets. She is a convincing advocate and sophisticated investigator, and has worked diligently to obtain favorable rulings for employers on matters involving allegations of discrimination based on pregnancy, disability, religion, sexual orientation, race discrimination, and sexual harassment in courts, as well as from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Full Bio »
Sharon leads the firm’s management-focused employment law practice. The firm's clients range from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in a wide variety of industries. She handles all manner of employment litigation, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour cases, employee misconduct, and theft of trade secrets. She is a convincing advocate and sophisticated investigator, and has worked diligently to obtain favorable rulings for employers on matters involving allegations of discrimination based on pregnancy, disability, religion, sexual orientation, race discrimination, and sexual harassment in courts, as well as from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Highlights
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Named one of the “Silicon Valley’s Women of Influence” by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, 2011.
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Recognized by the Daily Journal as one of the top 60 labor and employment lawyers in California, 2010.
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Named to the Northern California Super Lawyers, 2006, 2007, and 2010.
Representative Matters
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Successfully defended a class action involving the legality of a tip pool during a 2 week jury trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
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Obtained summary judgment for an employer in two age discrimination cases in Santa Clara County Superior Court.
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Received a jury verdict on behalf of three managers in an employment discrimination/equal pay act case.
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Successfully argued for a defense verdict in a stock option breach of contract case and a defense verdict in a business tort case.
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Obtained summary judgment for business clients in several employment-related cases, including a class action involving overtime pay in federal court and sex discrimination.
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Defended a Silicon Valley Fortune 500 company in a trade secret theft case which culminated in a favorable settlement.
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Successfully investigated several employee theft cases which were criminally prosecuted and resulted in guilty verdicts against the employees.
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Opposed an appeal that affirmed the decision of the trial court that dismissed a Writ of Mandate filed by the City of San Jose.
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Obtained a dismissal for five clients sued under California’s anti-spam law. Taking aggressive actions against the plaintiff, who previously sued a number of companies under the same law, the case was dismissed five months after filing.
Professional and Community Contributions
Sharon is currently a Trustee and President for the San Jose Repertory Theatre, the premier non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay. Sharon is an active member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, where she served on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. She has co-chaired the Civil Practice Committee, Federal Courts Committee, and Conference of Delegates and has also served on a long list of other influential committees.
Admissions
State Bar of California
U.S. District Court, Northern, and Eastern Districts of California
U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court
Education
J.D., cum laude, University of Santa Clara School of Law, 1991
B.S., with recognition, Marylhurst College, 1984