Featured Practices
Sharon Mayer’s practice focuses on complex business litigation. Sharon has represented clients in cases involving a wide spectrum of matters, ranging from securities fraud and legal malpractice to intellectual property and contract disputes.
Sharon has represented both organizations and individuals, including corporate officers and directors, Fortune 500 companies, law firms, and technology companies. She has successfully handled trials and binding arbitrations, won case dispositive motions, and prevailed in both state and federal appeals.
A significant aspect of Sharon’s practice is the representation of national and international law firms in disputes involving legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and related claims. Sharon has had success defending these cases and has obtained favorable resolutions for the clients.
Sharon is a former president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, and a board member of Public Counsel. She was recently named among the “Top 100 Women Lawyers” by the Daily Journal and as one of the “Most Influential Women Lawyers” by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She has been recognized as a Southern California “Rising Star” and “Super Lawyer” by Los Angeles Magazine.
As an attorney fluent in Hebrew and licensed to practice both in Israel and California, Sharon understands the unique challenges faced by Israeli companies litigating in the U.S. and is able to navigate the legal systems both in the U.S. and Israel. She has successfully represented Israeli companies and individuals in various types of business disputes.
Education, Clerkship & Admissions
- Tel Aviv University, Buchmann Faculty of Law, L.L.B., magna cum laude, 1998
- Law Clerk for the Hon. Robert Kelleher, U.S. District Court, Central District of California
- California, 2001
- Israel, 1999
Awards & Recognition
- Leading Litigators in America, Lawdragon, 2023-present
- Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: White Collar, Best Lawyers®, 2019-present
- Southern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2017-2018, 2021-present
- Most Influential Women Lawyers, Los Angeles Business Journal, 2017
- Top 100 Women Lawyers, Daily Journal, 2016
- Southern California Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2007-2013
Notable Matters
Successfully quashed service on a national law firm in a case alleging aiding and abetting of securities fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and professional negligence in connection with a purported billion-dollar Ponzi scheme.
Represents an international law firm and individual attorneys in an action brought by a former client alleging malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty. The claim arises out of a film production and distribution venture in which the law firm is alleged to have had a conflict of interest in its representation of the plaintiff.
Represents an international law firm in a malpractice case involving allegations that the client entered into a settlement agreement based on the firm’s alleged negligent advice.
Represents an international law firm and an individual attorney in a malicious prosecution action. The claim arises out of the firm’s representation of a construction company in litigation against one of its former principals.
Successfully defended a national law firm in a malicious prosecution case and obtained a favorable ruling on an anti-SLAPP motion. Defended judgment on appeal and obtained a significant award of attorneys’ fees for the client.
Represented the CEO of a technology company in a shareholder class action and related derivative litigations relating to the backdating of stock options, following a multi-million dollar revenue restatement. The cases settled on favorable terms for our client.
Defended a Fortune 500 technology company in a six-week jury trial involving claims for breach of contract, securities fraud and other torts. Trial resulted in a complete defense verdict on all claims and our client was awarded over $1.8 million in attorneys’ fees and costs. Successfully defended the verdict on appeal.
Represented a high-net-worth investor in a FINRA arbitration against one of the largest investment banks in the U.S. for misrepresentations made in soliciting our client’s investment. Case resulted in a confidential settlement to our client’s satisfaction.
Represented North America’s largest roofing shingles manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute with a supplier of raw materials. Secured a favorable settlement for our client.
Represented a company that owns hospitals across the United States in an internal investigation involving accounting irregularities. The investigation resulted in remedial actions taken by the client.
Represented a department chair at UCLA in an internal investigation involving allegations of violations of the Political Reform Act. The investigation resulted in a favorable confidential settlement.
Represented investors in a dispute over our clients’ ownership interest in a limited partnership that owned and operated a hospital. Obtained a ruling in our clients’ favor concerning issues of contract interpretation at the conclusion of a two-week bench trial, leading to a favorable settlement.
Defended a real estate partnership and its general partner in a multi-million dollar case involving claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. Obtained a dismissal of the case on the pleadings and successfully defended the judgment on appeal.
Represented a physician in a RICO case involving allegations of medicare fraud. Prevailed on a motion to dismiss and defended the ruling on appeal in front of the Ninth Circuit.
Represented an investor in a joint venture in a dispute concerning ownership of a hotel and other real properties in Panama. Case resulted in a buy-out settlement to the client’s satisfaction.
News & Insights
Record Number of Bird Marella Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Bird Marella is proud to announce the inclusion of 26 lawyers in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® by U.S. …
Friday, August 18, 2023
Go to the postMark Drooks and Sharon Mayer Win Dismissal of Legal Malpractice Case Brought Against Michigan-Based Law Firm
Bird Marella principals Mark Drooks and Sharon Mayer won dismissal of a legal malpractice case brought against a Michigan-based AmLaw200 firm and one of its partners in the …
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
Go to the postBenjamin Gluck and Ariel Neuman Named Lawyers of the Year as 20 Bird Marella Attorneys Recognized Among the 2023 Best Lawyers in America®
Bird Marella is proud to announce the inclusion of 20 lawyers in the 2023 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch by U.S. News. Benjamin …
Friday, August 19, 2022
Go to the post15 Bird Marella Principals Recognized as Southern California Super Lawyers in 2022
For the past twenty years, Bird Marella attorneys have been consecutively recognized as top rated attorneys among the Southern California Super Lawyers list. The firm is proud of its reputation for …
Friday, January 21, 2022
Go to the postBird Marella Obtains Dismissal of a Legal Malpractice Claim Against a National Law Firm
On September 10, 2021, Bird Marella principals Paul Chan and Sharon Mayer obtained a complete dismissal in arbitration of a legal malpractice case against a national law firm. The claimant had alleged that the firm had a conflict of …
Friday, September 10, 2021
Go to the postBird Marella Showcases Top-Tier Legal Talent with 19 Attorneys Named Among the 2022 Best Lawyers in America®
Bird Marella is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2022 edition of Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch by U.S. Articles. Nearly half of the firm’s entire roster of …
Thursday, August 19, 2021
Go to the postPublications
- Co-Author, “Showing Lack of Probable Cause: Plaintiff’s Burden of Proof in Opposing an Anti-SLAPP Motion Attacking a Malicious Prosecution Claim,” The Journal of the Litigation Section of the California Lawyers Association, July 2020
- Co-Author, “Calif. Ruling Dings Engagement Letter Arbitration Clauses,” Law360, November 26, 2018