Sharon M. Woods | Barris, Sott, Denn & Driker, P.L.L.C. |
(313) 965-9725 Pay Now
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Attorneys
Sharon  M. Woods

PRACTICE AREAS

Litigation
Construction Defects Litigation
Employment Litigation and Counseling
Class Actions
Business Counseling
Bet The Company Litigation

EDUCATION

J.D., 1971, University of Detroit
School of Law, Summa Cum Laude

 B.S., 1968, University of Detroit
 Magna Cum Laude

HONORS & AWARDS

  • Arbitrator - American Arbitration Association
  • Mediator and Discovery Master - Wayne County Circuit Court and Oakland County Circuit Court
  • Recognized in 2021 Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers™
  • Recognized in DBusiness magazine’s 2021 list of Top Lawyers
  • Recipient of United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan/Federal Bar Association Award for Civility (2019)
  • Featured in Michigan Leading Lawyers as Top Ten Women Business Lawyers and Top 100 Business Lawyers
  • Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV Preeminent 5 (2019)
  • Named by Benchmark Litigation as one of the USA's top 250 women in litigation (2012-present)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Professional Malpractice Law (2020)
  • Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America as The Best Lawyer in Detroit - Construction Litigation (2012), Real Estate Litigation (2013), Professional Malpractice Defense (2014)
  • Recognized in Chambers USA, Client's Guide to America's Leading Lawyers, for Commercial Litigation, including advisory board (2014-present)
  • Recognized in Michigan Super Lawyers -- Business Litigation (2006-2022)
  • "Top 10" Michigan Lawyers (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011)
  • "Top 25" Women Business Attorneys in Michigan (2018)
  • "Top 50" Women Attorneys in Michigan (2006-2022)
  • "Top 100" Attorneys in Michigan (2006-2020)
  • "Top Women Lawyers" in Michigan (2019-2020)
  • "Top Attorneys" in Michigan (2012-Present)
  • Best Lawyers Women in the Law (2018-2022)
  • dBusiness Top Business Lawyers (2019)
  • Honored by Michigan Lawyers Weekly as one of twenty Women in the Law (2010)
Sharon M. Woods
Member
CONTACT INFORMATION
Tel: 313-596-9304
Fax: 313-983-3322
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Sharon is a world-class litigator, as well as the longtime leader of the firm and current chair of the firm's Litigation Department.   She is a riveting trial lawyer and a formidable advocate for clients.   

Sharon's practice focuses on business litigation (commercial and complex litigation, construction, securities, intellectual property litigation, employment litigation, class action litigation, professional malpractice defense).

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC LEADERSHIP

  • Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (past Regent and Chair of the Complex Litigation committee)
  • Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
  • Past Member and Vice-Chairman, Advisory Committee on Local Rules of the United States District Court
  • Kappa Beta Pi Honors Sorority
  • Historical Society of the United States District Court for the Eastern District (past President and Trustee)
  • Historical Society of the United States Supreme Court (past State Chairman)
  • Past Member and Counsel, Board of Accounting of State of Michigan (by gubernatorial appointment)
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Fellow, Michigan Bar Foundation
  • Trustee, Detroit Bar Association Foundation
  • Member, American Law Institute
  • The Detroit Club, past Director and President
  • Arbitrator, American Arbitration Association
  • Mediator, Oakland Circuit Court

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

  • Michigan Supreme Court Judicial Conference, co-presenter with Paul A. McCarthy, "Shareholder Disputes: Common Litigation Issues & Strategies", May 9, 2019
  • Faculty, U.S. District Court Trial Advocacy Program
  • Faculty, ICLE Trial Advocacy Program and Business Tort Seminar
  • Consumer Bankruptcy Association Trial Skills Workshop, April 17, 2015
  • "Coping With Multi-Plaintiff Employment Litigation", co-authored with Sandra J. Defebaugh (Michigan Consolidated Gas Company), published in Journal of American Corporate Counsel Association, Spring, 1989
  • "Commercial Torts", Chapter of Michigan Torts



Martindale Hubbell Badge

Best Lawyers Badge 2017

Leading Lawyers Badge 2017

Leading Lawyers Badge 2016
Best Lawyers Badge 2015

Best Lawyers Badge Lawyer of the Year 2015

Best Lawyers Badge 2014
Best Lawyers Badge 2013
Best Lawyers Badge 2012

BAR ADMISSIONS

  • Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth, Sixth and Tenth Circuits
  • U. S. District Court - Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, District of Nevada
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of Michigan