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Sonia enjoys a varied litigation practice at FGB. Her practice primarily focuses on commercial litigation and product liability matters. She has defended a multitude of products ranging from automated industrial controls and domestic products to medical devices and pharmaceuticals to food contamination cases. Sonia also advises and handles various commercial matters for her clients including contract disputes, trade secret issues, non-compete litigation, franchise disputes and some employment matters. On a pro bono basis, Sonia has represented guardians ad litem for children in foster care looking for adoptive homes and parents in custody disputes.
In her thirteen years of practice, Sonia has earned the respect of her colleagues, peers, and adversaries. In 2002, Sonia was named one of Minnesota’s top ten Up-and-Coming Lawyers by the Minnesota Lawyer publication. Minnesota Law & Politics named her a “Rising Star” in 2005, 2006 and 2008. Sonia also had the honor of serving as the 89th President of the Hennepin County Bar Association, an 8,000-member organization, from 2007 to 2008 -- the Association's youngest female President and first Hispanic President. Representative Experience : Tonicstar, Ltd. v. Lovegreen Turbine Services, Inc., 2006 WL 2472826 (D.Minn)
Leucadia v. Intermas , 2003 U.S. Dist. Lexis 2334 (D.Minn)
Berczyk v. Emerson Tool Craft, et al. , 291 F. Supp. 2d 1004 (D.Minn. 2003)
Hammel v. Eau Galle Cheese Factory , 2003 U.S. Dist. Lexis 7515
Hammel v. Eau Galle Cheese Factory , 2003 U.S. Dist. Lexis 11380
In Re: Welfare of S.N.R. , 617 NW 2d 77 (Minn. App. 2000)
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:
“Millennials in the Workforce: Making the “In it for me” Employee In It For You,” CBIZ & Flynn Gaskins & Bennett Seminar, 5/09
Panelist,"Women as Leaders in the Legal Profession," Visions of Women’s Leadership Conference, University of St. Thomas, 10/08
Speaker, “Judicial Elections—the Changing Landscape,” American Association of University Women, 11/06
"Strategic and Long-Range Planning for Organizations" - 2005 NAPABA National Bar Leadership Institute (IL)
"Trends in Non-Compete Litigation" - Firm Seminar, November, 2004
"State Farm v. Campbell : The Last Word on Punitive Damages?" - Firm Seminar, September, 2004
"Finding & Motivating Members" - 2004
ABA Young Lawyers Division Fall Conference (TX) & Western Regional Conference (CA)
“Top Ten Changes in the ADA”- 2004 ABA Young Lawyers Division Mid-Year Meeting (TX)
“Where are We with the ADA”- 2003 ABA Young Lawyers Division Fall Conference (PA)
“Is Adoption of the ‘Inevitable Disclosure’ Doctrine Inevitable in Minnesota Courts?” Firm Seminar, 12/03
“Defending a Medical Device Claim”- MSBA CLE, 6/03
“Taking Hate Out of the Junior/Senior High School Classroom”- 2002 ABA Young Lawyers Division Spring Conference (CO)
“Operation Arbitration”- 2001 ABA Young Lawyers Division Spring Conference (AK)
“Goal-Setting: Achieving Your Personal Goals”- 2000 ABA Young Lawyers Division Spring Conference (TX)
“Youth Empowerment Summit”- 1999 ABA Midwest Regional Conference (WI) Professional Recognition : Named “Minnesota Rising Star” by Law & Politics (2005, 2006, 2008)
Named “Star of the Quarter” by American Bar Association Young Lawyer Division (2006)
Awarded “Distinguished Service Award” by Notre Dame Club of Minnesota (2006)
Selected by Minnesota Lawyer as 1 of 10 “Up and Coming Attorneys” (2002) Memberships : Defense Research Institute
Hennepin County Bar Association:
President (2007-2008)
President-Elect (2006-2007)
Treasurer (2005-2006)
Secretary (2004-2005)
Executive Committee (2004- 2009)
Board of Directors (1998- 2009)
Community Relations Committee (Chair: 2002- 2004; Co-Chair: 2001-2002)
Finance & Planning Committee (2003-2008)
Leadership Institute Planning Committee (2003- 2005)
Nominating Committee (1999-2004)
Program Assessment Committee (2002-2003)
Delivery of Legal Services Committee (Co-Vice-Chair: 2000-2002)
New Lawyers Section (Chair: 1999-2001)
Minnesota State Bar Association:
Board of Governors (1998- 2004; 2006- present)
Operations Committee (2009- present)
Diversity Implementation Task Force (2006- present) (Co-Chair: 2009- present)
Governance Committee (2007- 2009)
Food & Drug Section (Treasurer: 2002-present; Secretary: 2001-2002)
American Bar Association:
National Council of Bar Presidents (2007-2009)
National Affiliate Assistance Team, Young Lawyers Division (1999-2000,
2002-2003, 2004-2006)
Lawyers with Disability Committee, Young Lawyers Division (Co-Vice Chair: 2003-2004)
Litigation Committee (Co-Vice Chair: 2002-2003)
Co-Coordinator, Young Lawyers Division Pilot Project-Taking Hate Out of theClassroom (2001-2002)
Co-Coordinator, Young Lawyers Division Pilot Project- Operation Arbitration (2000-2001)
Minnesota Hispanic Bar Association
National Association of Professional Women
Minnesota Women Lawyers Court Admissions : Minnesota
U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court Civic Involvement : International Spanish Language Academy, School Board (Chair 2009-2010)
Hennepin County Bar Foundation - Board of Directors
Volunteer Lawyers Network – Board of Directors
Indiana University School of Law- Alumni Board of Directors
Notre Dame Club of Minnesota - Board of Directors
University of Minnesota Student Legal Services- former Board of Directors
Youth Empowerment Summit- Minneapolis, Founder
Helping Kids Belong Project - Coordinator
"We the Jury" Project - Coordinator
St. Joe’s Catholic Church/Immaculate Heart - member & volunteer
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