Sharon Iskra is a partner and leads the firm’s Institutional Abuse and Neglect team. Sharon lives a unified mission: personally and professionally, she helps. A nationally recognized advocate and voice for the vulnerable, she litigates cases for children, individuals with special needs, and others who have been abused, neglected, or exploited in institutions such as group homes, rehabilitation centers, universities, hotels, foster care facilities, and other settings.
Sharon led the trial team that won the National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyer’s Disability Rights Award in 2022 for the historic multi-million-dollar verdict won on behalf of two disabled and non-verbal minors who were seriously abused by staff at a care facility. She applies equal dedication to the other serious injury and wrongful death cases she handles. Sharon is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) representing children in abuse and neglect cases, and makes frequent presentations on the litigation of sexual abuse matters.
Sharon’s natural talent in the courtroom is recognized by judges and colleagues. Chief Judge Haden of the Southern District of West Virginia said of her, “Ms. Iskra quite simply moved a very difficult case over several years and achieved an excellent result for her client at a jury trial. She achieved complete success…She fought valiantly for several years and then prevailed, despite rigorous opposition from two respected law firms.” Lack v. Walmart Inc., 56 F.Supp.2d 674, 678-79 (S.D.W. Va. 1999).
Sharon connects deeply first with her clients and then with her juries. Both relatable and relentless, she pursues the higher goal of bettering society as she brings closure to each client’s case. This tenacity has served clients well when battling formidable defendants such as state Departments of Health and Human Resources, juvenile facilities, nationally-known universities, school boards, and large private companies.
Sharon is a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force of West Virginia and serves on the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Association of Justice. Within the American Association for Justice, she is active in the Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, and Anti-Human Trafficking Litigation Groups.
Sharon’s personal passion to serve is also unique: in 2004, she paused her successful legal career for nine years to direct children’s and urban ministries at a local church. In addition to her caseload and CASA work, Sharon has served on missions to orphanages in Haiti and Africa in 2014, 2016, and 2019. She plans to continue her lifestyle of personal and professional missions effecting positive change at home and abroad for many years to come.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Programs Include:
- American Association of Justice CLE: Litigating Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Designed and hosted 14-part webinar training series approved for Continuing Legal Education Credit through American Association of Justice. Sessions provide practical tips and strategies to help lawyers of all levels best serve clients in their healing and litigation journeys.
- Perrin Conferences Sexual Abuse Litigation Conference, program entitled: “Damages in Sexual Misconduct Cases.” For the full program visit this link.
- 2024 National Labor & Employment Symposium, Presenter, “How to Effectively Use a Jury Focus Group to Win the Day.” For more about this program please visit this link.
Community and Professional Activities
- Member, National Crime Victims Bar Association
- Board of Directors for Think Kids West Virginia (2021-2023)
- Board of Directors for the West Virginia Association for Justice
- Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Western Regional CASA
- PRO-Kids, Inc. (Afterschool Program, 50 At-Risk Elementary Children)
- Board of Directors, 2008-2020
- Fundraising Chairman, 2012-2015
- Led weekly faith lessons, 2008-2020
- Director of Children’s and Urban Ministries, Charleston Baptist Temple, 2006-2016
- Mission Work in Haiti and Africa, 2014, 2016, 2019
- American Association of Justice
- Litigation groups: Anti-Human Trafficking, Child Sex Abuse, Sexual Assault
- Active in River Ridge Church and Christ Church United Methodist Communities
