Sharon Kirsch of McManis Faulkner Honored as Woman of Influence

SAN JOSE, CA, March 24, 2011 (Press-News.org) Sharon Kirsch, a partner at McManis Faulkner and leader of the firm's employment law practice, was honored as one of the "Silicon Valley's Women of Influence" by the Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal. Among the 100 regional honorees, Kirsch was one of only 11 attorneys in private practice to receive this distinction.

"To be recognized by the broader Silicon Valley business community is a great accomplishment for Sharon. She is an outstanding employment attorney who is deeply committed to her employer clients. This combined with her long-standing dedication to the San Jose Repertory Theatre, makes Sharon worthy of recognition as one of the region's top women," said James McManis, head of the firm.

Women of Influence honorees are nominated by their peers and chosen by a panel of previous Women of Influence recipients. Selection is based on success within their industries and contributions to their communities.

In her practice, Kirsch represents clients from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries, handling management-side employment litigation, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour cases, and trade secrets. She has successfully represented her clients in state and federal court, as well as before state and federal agencies. Kirsch has obtained favorable rulings for her employer clients from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in several investigations involving allegations of discrimination based on pregnancy, religion, sexual orientation, and race, as well as sexual harassment.

Kirsch is an active member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, where she served on the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees. Kirsch has co-chaired the Civil Practice Committee, Federal Courts Committee and Conference of Delegates. She has also served on a long list of other influential committees.

Heavily involved in her community, Kirsch is currently a Trustee and Vice President for the San Jose Repertory Theatre, the premier non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay.
Kirsch earned her J.D., cum laude, from the Santa Clara University School of Law (1991) and her B.S., with recognition, in communications from Marylhurst College (1984).

McManis Faulkner, a San Jose, Calif. trial firm, provides a full range of services, representing both corporations and individuals through trial and appeal. The firm handles a wide range of litigation, including business, civil rights, class actions, criminal, employment, family, general civil, intellectual property, personal injury, probate, and professional negligence. With experienced, well-trained trial lawyers and staff, McManis prides itself on its diversity - beyond ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, women comprise a majority of the firm's management and staff. On the Web: http://www.mcmanislaw.com.