“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.”
From the opinion written by Chief Judge Haden of the Southern District of West Virginia in Lack v. Walmart Inc.
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL
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 employment matters, product liability claims, and 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 she makes frequent presentations on the subject.
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 large companies such as Walmart Inc., Pittston Coal, Champion Traps and Targets (Federal Cartridge Company), Hooters, Health Insurance Innovations, and nationally known universities.
Sharon serves on the Board of Directors for Think Kids West Virginia, and is also a member of the Board of Directors for the West Virginia Association for Justice.
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 continues her volunteerism with afterschool programs for inner-city children and 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.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, West Virginia (2023, 2024)
Elite Trial Lawyers, Disability Rights (2022)
CLERKSHIPS
Law Clerk, Hon. Mary E. Stanley, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (2004 - 2006)
PRACTICE AREAS
Appellate and Supreme Court Practice
Automotive
Catastrophic Personal Injury
Institutional Abuse & Neglect
Labor & Employment
Medical Malpractice
Product Liability
Sexual Abuse & Harassment
EDUCATION
J.D., Wake Forest University School of Law, 1994, Best Trial Advocate Award, Moot Court
B.A., Baylor University,1991
ADMISSIONS
West Virginia
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia
U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
