July 23, 2024
Boston Bar Association

This summer, Boston Bar Association is spotlighting emerging leaders in Boston law to highlight the work they do, their legal careers thus far, and their connection to the larger Boston legal community. They caught up with Sunstein Partner Sharona H. Sternberg, to learn more about her growing IP litigation and trademark law practice, her advice to new lawyers in Boston, and more. Check out the full interview below and on their website.

Boston Bar Association: What inspired you to become a lawyer? And more specifically, what sparked your interest in intellectual property litigation and trademark law?

Sharona H. Sternberg: My early obsession with “Law and Order” put the legal field on my radar at a young age, and I always knew I wanted a career involving writing and advocacy. When I was at Harvard Law, I took some classes on cyber law and had the opportunity to meet founders from various tech companies, including Google, Mozilla Firefox, Pandora, and even Craig from Craigslist. I became enamored with the cross section of law, technology, and the arts. I fell in love with intellectual property law because it is so dynamic and always trying to catch up to technology, which gives a lot of room for creativity and always keeps me on my toes. Patent litigation is challenging but incredibly rewarding, and trademark law is especially fun because I get to see the marketing and branding side of the law, and I can put my detective and internet sleuthing skills to work.

BBA: You are also involved in the Women’s Bar Association and National Association of Women Lawyers. What advice would you give to young women entering the legal profession today?

Sternberg: Growing up with three older brothers, I quickly learned to stand up for myself and elbow my way to a spot at any table. I also have had the privilege of having strong female role models and mentors in my life. I am incredibly thankful for organizations like the WBA and NAWL for the networking and mentorship opportunities they provide to women in the law, and there is no more empowering feeling than sitting in a room of accomplished, passionate women. I pride myself on trying to be a positive role model and mentor to associates and newer attorneys as well. My greatest piece of advice to young women entering the profession is to find your voice and speak up, and even if other voices are louder or more confident, it certainly does not mean they are right or more worthy.

BBA: What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Sternberg: A personal accomplishment I am most proud of is making partner at Sunstein in 2020, just before the birth of my fourth child. I am so fortunate to be at a firm and have partners that have been incredibly supportive of my professional development as well as my family life. In terms of client-oriented accomplishments, I am extremely proud of my role in a sweeping patent trial victory for our client Ingenico, and being able to stand before a jury presenting evidence and testimony that took years to collect.

BBA: What do you enjoy most about your job?

Sternberg: Without a doubt, the best part of my job is the people. Working with passionate, supportive, and collaborative colleagues at Sunstein has made all the difference. I also love getting to work closely and collaboratively with our clients. It is a joy to dive into each business to think not only about their legal strategy, but how that fits into their broader business goals.

BBA: What are some of the challenges you face in your job, and what strategies have you devised to best handle those challenges?

Sternberg: Working on complex patent cases is always a challenge at first, and there is often a steep learning curve to tackle new technology. I have learned to reap the benefits of the expertise of my patent colleagues and our expert witnesses when it comes to the nitty gritty of the science, but I have also learned to trust my own instincts to translate complex technology and jargon into storytelling that will resonate with a judge and jury. As a litigator, another challenge I face daily is how combative and contentious my job can be. Being aggressive for the sake of it can backfire, and I have learned when and how to pick my battles. Although I certainly can be a bulldog when needed, congeniality can be a stealthier weapon. I can often resolve matters more efficiently and productively for our clients by gaining the other side’s trust and respect.

BBA: Are you involved in any volunteer or community organizations, or pro bono work? If so, what drew you to them and why is it important to you?

Sternberg: Community involvement is extremely important to me, and I’ve always made it a point to give back to the broader community. I have worked on various pro bono matters throughout my career, and an especially important cause to me is the Women’s Bar Foundation’s Family Law Project, through which we help represent victims of domestic violence in family law disputes. I am also quite active in my local Jewish community and local bar associations. A deeply held value of mine is to help give a voice to the voiceless and aid those in need.

BBA: Why is it important to you to be involved in the broader legal community, like the BBA? How has this helped you in your career?

Sternberg: Boston is smaller than you would think, and being active in the broader community has proven incredibly important to help build my network. I am honored to be an alumnus of the BBA’s Public Interest Leadership Program (PILP), which allowed me to meet other amazing attorneys and burgeoning leaders in the Boston legal community who care just as passionately about giving back to the community at large. Being involved with the BBA, as well as the WBA’s Women Leadership Initiative, has allowed me to meet incredible attorneys and mentors who I can lean on for professional and personal advice as well as a great referral network.

BBA: What is your favorite place to bring a visitor when they come to Boston?

The Boston skyline has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, and the Seaport is a new favorite to show to people who haven’t visited Boston in a while. We are also big fans of the Museum of Science. A hidden gem near where I live is Wards Berry Farm, up in Sharon, MA, which is a family favorite with its berry picking and hayrides.