Sharon Van Dyck has over 25 years experience in civil litigation at the pre-trial, trial, and appellate levels. She partners with trial counsel to formulate and implement litigation strategy, to narrow issues, and to make sure her client’s claims are presented in the best possible posture for successful resolution. Focusing on appellate practice, Sharon’s experience extends both to the Minnesota courts and to federal appellate courts around the country. A well-known appellate advocate, she has briefed and argued more than 100 appeals.
Understanding that appeals are won or lost based on how a case is presented in the trial court, Sharon has extensive experience working as part of a trial team. Working side by side with lead trial lawyers, Sharon brings an appellate perspective to the process of formulating legal strategy, selecting winning legal arguments, and briefing and arguing the inevitable motions that position a case to succeed at both the trial and appellate levels. She understands the interplay between legal analysis and in-depth factual evidence, making her a powerful asset before and during trial, as well as on appeal.
Attorneys and their clients frequently hire her to handle all aspects of dispositive and other critical motions that can make or break a case at the trial court level. She is known for her communication skills, persuasive briefing and oral argument, and the high quality representation she gives each client.
AREAS OF PRACTICE
- Appellate Practice
- Complex Motion Practice
- Insurance Coverage
- Railroad Accident Litigation
EDUCATION
- William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota
- J.D. magna cum laude – 1987
- Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
- B.S. with High Distinction – 1974
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Minnesota state courts
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Named a Minnesota “Super Lawyer” every year since 1999 (an honor given to only 5% of lawyers in Minnesota)
- Top 50 Women Minnesota Super Lawyers 2006 – 2007, 2009 – present
- Attorney of The Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2008
- Top Appellate Lawyer, Minnesota Law & Politics, 2003 – 2007, 2009
- Top 100 Minnesota Super Lawyers, 2003 – 2005, 2010
- Excellence Award, Minnesota Trial Lawyers’ Association, 1994 – 1995, 1999 – 2000
- AV Rating, Martindale Hubbell’s Highest Rating for Professional Skills and Integrity
- Minnesota Monthly 2014 Best Lawyers, Appellate practice
- Minnesota Lawyer Attorneys of the Year – 2008
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- American Bar Foundation
- American Association for Justice
- Minnesota Association for Justice (Past President)
- Amdahl Inn of Court
PUBLISHED WORKS
- “Getting Involved Can Change the Law”, Minnesota Trial, Vol. 22, No. 2 at 8, Spring, 2008
- “A Clear Path For Railroad Negligence Cases”, Trial, 44, No. 2 at 50, February, 2008
- “Recovery of Medical Expenses in a Personal Injury Case”, MTLA Magazine, Vol. 31, No. 2, Spring, 2006
- “Scheibel: No-Fault Apportionment Revisited”, MTLA Magazine, Vol. 26, No. 1, Winter, 2001
- “Determining ‘Full Recovery’ Under the Minnesota Anti-Subrogation Statute”, MTLA Magazine, Vol. 24, No. 1 Winter, 1999
- “Minnesota’s New Subrogation Law”, MTLA Magazine, Vol. 21, No. 1, Winter, 1996