Columbia Law School,
J.D., 2001
James Kent Scholar
Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
Young B. Smith Prize For Excellence in Torts
Rice University,
B.A., magna cum laude, 1998
Illinois
Missouri
Texas
Missouri, Illinois and Texas Bars
American Bar Association
Women’s Lawyers’ Association, St. Louis
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Discover Financial Services
UniGroup Inc.
Peabody Energy
Missouri State Employees' Retirement System
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
FCA US LLC (f/k/a Chrysler Group LLC)
Named an Up & Coming attorney by Missouri Lawyers Weekly, 2016
Included in "Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers" Rising Stars list, 2010-2011; 2013-2016 (by Thomson Reuters)
Thompson Coburn LLP
Partner, 2010-Present
Associate, 2004
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Associate, 2002
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
Law Clerk to Hon. Phyllis A. Kravitch
National Council of Jewish Women
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri Legal Corps
United Way
Women's Leadership Initiative
Sharon develops and executes highly effective class action defense strategies for major companies across a variety of sectors, including transportation, telecommunications, energy and finance.
She has represented publicly-held Fortune 500 corporations and privately-held businesses facing class action and other complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts across the country. Sharon's class experience — spanning employee, consumer and shareholder class actions — includes numerous successful outcomes through class certification proceedings, the most critical juncture in any high-exposure class action. She has also spearheaded strategies that have led to favorable outcomes prior to class certification, whether through dismissal or favorable settlement.
Sharon, who comes from a family of mathematicians, embraces the important intersection between high-stakes litigation and math. She has played a lead role in cases involving complex financial and other numerical data, and has significant experience analyzing exposure, deposing experts, and creating sophisticated damages models. Her leadership on data-intensive litigation, combined with high-level strategic thinking, has paved the way for the successful resolution of numerous high-value cases for clients.
Drawing on her law school background in constitutional law and her work as a law clerk to the Hon. Phyllis A. Kravitch of the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, Sharon has also provided focused advice to a variety of parties facing First Amendment questions, other constitutional issues and preempted claims.
Defended major telecommunications corporation in statewide municipal tax collection class action related to business license taxes.
Defended major transportation carrier in nationwide consumer class action alleging price-fixing related to fuel surcharge.
Defended Fortune Global 100 company in shareholder class action challenging merger.
Defended manufacturer in consumer fraud class actions related to alleged product defects.
Defended major bank in nationwide class action alleging unauthorized charges and deceptive trade practices, including issues of arbitrability and class action waivers.
Defended community bank in litigation challenging interest accrual method.
Prosecuted claims for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract on behalf of a major public pension system against an international custodian bank.
Defended a national transportation leader in federal contract litigation, obtaining summary judgment to defeat challenge to a crucial aspect of the company's core business model.
Defended major chemical corporation in breach of contract action regarding indemnification of environmental cleanup costs.
Represented exiting stockholder in separation from S corporation for specific enforcement of Restrictive Stock Agreement.
Defended major energy corporation in breach of contract dispute regarding invocation of material-adverse-event clause.
Represented a national online publication in responding to proposed legislation seeking to criminalize the publication of advertisements potentially used for illegal purposes.
Defended a Senate candidate when her campaign was sued for copyright infringement for using news footage in a campaign commercial.
Represented a religious organization regarding church-state questions relative to disposition of church property and court jurisdiction over intra-church disputes.
Defended a state governor regarding termination of governmental agency board member in case raising issues of sovereign immunity.
Helped a major radio provider respond to a state AG investigation into whether certain calls were protected First Amendment speech or in violation of state consumer protection laws.
Conducted internal investigations of major energy company in connection with public accusations that some energy companies were involved in manipulating energy markets.
Presented to Board of Directors of national transportation leader regarding major decision by regulatory agency affecting ratemaking process.
Defended major bank in state AG investigation into allegedly deceptive practices in connection with enrollment of consumers in ancillary services.
Class action defendants benefit from Spokeo’s ruling on standing
What’s next for class action defendants after Tyson Foods?
Tyson Foods decision leaves questions, and opportunities, for class action defendants
"Class action defendants benefit from Spokeo's ruling on standing";
Thompson Coburn Publications, May 2016
"What’s next for class action defendants after Tyson Foods?";
Thompson Coburn Publications, March 2016
"Commercial Litigation Q&A: Litigation Costs, E-Discovery, and Class Actions";
Missouri Lawyers Weekly's Corporate Counsel Desk Book, November 2011
"Mandatory Arbitration Clauses: How to Effectively Use Them In Your Business";
St. Louis Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), August 12, 2011
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