sharon@levyvinick.com | LinkedIn | 510-318-7702
B.A., University of California, Berkeley, 1984
J.D., Harvard Law School, 1987
As a child, Sharon’s favorite retort to any perceived injustice (no matter how large or small) was “that’s not fair.” Her parents jokingly told her that she should be a lawyer, and by the age of 10, she decided to do just that. By the time she entered law school, Sharon had decided that she wanted to be a “civil rights lawyer,” although she was not 100% clear on what that meant. Now, after more than two decades of practicing law, Sharon realizes that being a civil rights lawyer is the perfect job for her, as it allows her to combine her passion for “fairness,” with her desire to use the law as a vehicle to redress violations of individuals’ civil and workplace rights.
As a plaintiffs’ employment lawyer, Sharon has represented individuals in cases alleging claims for discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability. She has also represented numerous women bringing claims of sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of pregnancy. In addition, Sharon has a thriving practice representing sales people in commission disputes, and assisting employees (from executives to hourly workers) in reviewing and negotiating employment contracts and severance agreements. And, while it is not a focus of her practice, Sharon has been very successful in litigating wage and hour cases. In representing employees, Sharon has litigated cases in private arbitrations, state and federal courts, and the United States Supreme Court.
Sharon is a frequent contributor to legal publications, having written articles on a variety of issues pertinent to the practice of employment law. She regularly speaks at legal conferences, and is often complimented for her ability to explain complicated legal theories in a clear, straightforward manner. She has been recognized by her peers as an accomplished lawyer, as evidenced by her being included in San Francisco Magazine’s list of “Super Lawyers” in the field of Employment Law in 2007 and 2008, and as one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers in Northern California” in 2009, 2010, and 2011.
When she is not practicing law, Sharon is busy raising two children, doing community volunteer work, and trying to perfect her skills at making the perfect chocolate truffle.
