Awards & Accolades

During David Sanford’s tenure as Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp the firm has tripled in size, opened four new offices, and been recognized by prominent legal media. Most recently, the firm’s recognition has included Benchmark Litigation’s 2021 Labor & Employment Employee-Side Firm of the Year and the National Law Journal naming the firm as both Employee Rights Firm of the Year and Human Rights Firm of the Year for 2021. David was also named 2021 Labor & Employment Attorney of the Year by Benchmark Litigation.

Recognized as Law Firm of the Year

A Highly Awarded Law Firm in Employment Law and Human Rights

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Silicon Valley Business Journal

2023 Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Women of Influence

2023 Recipient of Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Women of Influence – Qiaojing Ella Zheng

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2022 National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2022 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Civil Rights Firm of the Year – Sanford Heisler Sharp

2022 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar – Qiaojing Ella Zheng

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2021 National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2021 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Employment Rights Firm of the Year – Sanford Heisler Sharp

2021 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Human Rights Firm of the Year – Sanford Heisler Sharp

2021 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar – Deborah Marcuse

2021 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar – Danielle Fuschetti

The American Lawyer Trailblazers South

2021 South Trailblazers

Kevin Sharp was named a 2021 South Trailblazer by The American Lawyer

Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment Employee Firm Of The Year

2021 Benchmark Litigation – David Sanford

David Sanford – Labor & Employment Attorney of the Year

Benchmark Litigation 2021

2021 Labor & Employment Firm of the Year – Benchmark Litigation

2021 Labor & Employment Employee-Side Firm of the Year

Benchmark Litigation

2020 Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment Firm of the Year

2020 Labor & Employment Employee-Side Firm of the Year

Benchmark Litigation

2021 Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment Star

Ranked in six locations for Labor and Employment by Benchmark Litigation in 2021

David Sanford – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Jeremy Heisler – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

H. Vincent McKnight Jr. – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Russell Kornblith – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Deborah K. Marcuse – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Andrew Melzer – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Michael Palmer – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Kate Mueting – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Alexandra Harwin – Labor & Employment Star, Northeast

Kevin Sharp – Labor & Employment Star, South

Felicia Gilbert – Labor & Employment Star, West

Benchmark Litigation

2020 Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment Star

Ranked nationwide and in five locations for Labor and Employment by Benchmark Litigation in 2020

David Sanford – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Jeremy Heisler – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kevin Sharp – Labor & Employment Star – South

H. Vincent McKnight Jr. – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Russell Kornblith – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Deborah K. Marcuse – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Felicia Gilbert – Labor & Employment Star – West

Andrew Melzer – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Michael Palmer – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kate Mueting – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Alexandra Harwin – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2019 National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

Sanford Heisler Sharp named 2019 Elite Lawyers in the categories of Employment Law and Discrimination.

The National Law Journal

The National Law Journal

Saba Bireda – 2019 DC Rising Star

Kate Mueting – 2017 DC Rising Star

Washington Legal Times Litigation Department Of The Year

Employment Litigation Department of the Year

National Law Journal/Legal Times – Washington, DC Employment Litigation Department of the Year

2018 The National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiffs' Lawyers

2018 National Law Journal Trailblazers

David Sanford was named a 2018 National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Trailblazer

The National Law Journal Litigation Boutique 2013 Hot List

2013 Litigation Boutique Hot List

National Law Journal – 2013 Litigation Boutique Hot List

Benchmark Litigation

2019 Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment Star

Ranked in six locations for Labor and Employment by Benchmark Litigation in 2019

David Sanford – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Jeremy Heisler – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kevin Sharp – Labor & Employment Star – South

H. Vincent McKnight Jr. – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Russell Kornblith – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Deborah K. Marcuse – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Andrew Melzer – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Michael Palmer – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kate Mueting – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Alexandra Harwin – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Benchmark Litigation

2018 Benchmark Litigation – Labor & Employment Star

Ranked in four locations for Labor and Employment by Benchmark Litigation in 2018

David Sanford – Labor & Employment Attorney of the Year

Jeremy Heisler – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kevin Sharp – Labor & Employment Star – South

H. Vincent McKnight Jr. – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Russell Kornblith – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Deborah K. Marcuse – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Andrew Melzer – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Kate Mueting – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Alexandra Harwin – Labor & Employment Star – Northeast

Law 360 Employment Practice Group Of The Year

2021, 2019, 2018 & 2016 Employment Practice Group of the Year – Law 360

2021, 2019, 2018 & 2016 Employment Practice Group of the Year.

Law 360 Titans Of The Plaintiffs Bar

Law360 Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar

2018 Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar – David Sanford

2014 Titan of the Plaintiffs Bar – David Sanford

MVP

Law360 MVP

2021 Law360 MVP – H. Vincent McKnight Jr.

2019 Law360 MVP – Deborah K. Marcuse

2018 Law360 MVP – David Sanford

Law 360

Law360 Recognitions

2022 Law360 Rising Star – Qiaojing Ella Zheng

2021 Employment Practice Group of the Year

2020 Law360 Rising Star – Russell Kornblith

2019 Employment Practice Group of the Year

2018 Employment Practice Group of the Year

2016 Employment Practice Group of the Year

2019 Law360 Rising Star – Kate Mueting

2017 Law360 Rising Star – Alexandra Harwin

2016 – No. 17 Best Law Firm for Minority Attorneys

2016 – No. 18 Best Law Firm for Female Partners

2016 – No. 56 Best Law Firm for Female Attorneys

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2023

2023 Best Law Firms

U.S. News & World Report ranked Sanford Heisler Sharp nationally for its Employment Law practice. It also ranked the firm in 8 metro ranking categories, including a Tier 1 ranking in San Diego for its Personal Injury Litigation and in San Francisco for its Employment Law practice.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2021

2021 Best Law Firms

U.S. News & World Report ranked Sanford Heisler Sharp nationally for its ERISA Litigation practice. It also ranked the firm in 8 metro ranking categories, including a Tier 1 ranking in San Francisco for its Employment Law practice as well as recognition in Nashville for its Employment Law practice, San Diego for its Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation practices, and Washington, DC for its Employment Law, Commercial Litigation, and ERISA Litigation practices.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2020

2020 Best Law Firms

Ranked for its Employment Law practice in San Francisco; for its Commercial Litigation practice in San Diego; and for its Commercial Litigation practice in Washington, DC.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2019

2019 Best Law Firms

Ranked for its Employment Law practice in San Francisco; for its Commercial Litigation practice in San Diego; and for its Commercial Litigation practice in Washington, DC.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2018

2018 Best Law Firms

Ranked for its Employment Law practice in San Francisco; for its Commercial Litigation practice in San Diego; and for its Commercial Litigation practice in Washington, DC.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2017

2017 Best Law Firms

Ranked for its Employment Law practice in San Francisco; for its Commercial Litigation practice in San Diego; and for its Commercial Litigation practice in Washington, DC.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2016

2016 Best Law Firms

Ranked for its Employment Law practice in San Francisco; for its Commercial Litigation practice in San Diego; and for its Commercial Litigation practice in Washington, DC.

Best Lawyers Best Law Firms 2015

2015 Best Law Firms

US News Best Lawyers National Tier 1 Employment Firm, San Francisco

500 Leading Lawyers LawDragon 2022

2022 Lawdragon 500

The following attorneys were named to the 2022 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers list:

Saba Bireda

Christine Dunn

Charles Field

Felicia Gilbert

Alexandra Harwin

Jeremy Heisler

Steve Kelly

Russell Kornblith

Deborah Marcuse

H. Vincent McKnight

John McKnight

Andrew Melzer

Kate Mueting

Michael A. Palmer

David Sanford

Kevin Sharp

500 Leading Lawyers LawDragon 2021

2021 Lawdragon 500

The following attorneys were named to the 2021 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment & Civil Rights Lawyers list:

David Sanford

Jeremy Heisler

Kevin Sharp

H. Vincent McKnight Jr.

Russell Kornblith

Deborah K. Marcuse

Felicia Gilbert

Andrew Melzer

Michael Palmer

Kate Mueting

Charles Field

Alexandra Harwin

Steve Kelly

Saba Bireda

John McKnight

Christine Dunn

500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers LawDragon 2020

2020 Lawdragon 500

The following attorneys were named to the 2020 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers list:

David Sanford

Jeremy Heisler

Kevin Sharp

H. Vincent McKnight Jr.

Russell Kornblith

Deborah K. Marcuse

Andrew Melzer

Michael Palmer

Kate Mueting

Saba Bireda

500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers LawDragon 2019

2019 Lawdragon 500

David Sanford, Jeremy Heisler, H. Vincent McKnight Jr., and Deborah K. Marcuse were selected for the 2019 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers list

500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers LawDragon 2018

2018 Lawdragon 500

David Sanford was named as one of the 2018 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Employment Lawyers

Super Lawyers

Super Lawyers

David Sanford – DC and New York Metro Super Lawyer

Jeremy Heisler – New York Metro Super Lawyer

Kevin Sharp – Mid-South Super Lawyer

H. Vincent McKnight Jr. – DC Super Lawyer

Deborah K. Marcuse – Maryland Rising Star Super Lawyer

Russell Kornblith – New York Metro Rising Star Super Lawyer

Andrew Melzer – New York Metro Super Lawyer

Michael Palmer – New York Metro Super Lawyer

Kate Mueting – DC Rising Star Super Lawyer

Alexandra Harwin – New York Metro Rising Star Super Lawyer

Steven J. Kelly – Maryland Super Lawyer

Leigh Anne St. Charles – Mid-South Rising Star Super Lawyer

Danielle Fuschetti – Northern California Rising Star Super Lawyer

Qiaojing Ella Zheng – Northern California Rising Star Super Lawyer

AV Preeminent, by Martindale-Hubbell

AV Rated

AV Rated
AV Preeminent Rating Martindale-Hubbell

The American Lawyer

The 2018 American Lawyer Industry Awards

2018 American Lawyer Attorney of the Year Finalist – David Sanford

40 Under 40

Bloomberg Law

Alexandra Harwin recognized as one of 40 top young lawyers nationwide in Bloomberg Law’s 2021 edition of “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40.”

Fellows American Bar Foundation

American Bar Foundation

David Sanford and Deborah H. Marcuse are Fellows of the American Bar Foundation

Attorney For Justice 2019 Pro Bono Service Award

2019 Attorney for Justice

Kevin Sharp was named the 2019 Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court

Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers By Martaindale-Hubbell 2019

2019 Legal Leaders

David Sanford, H. Vince McKnight Jr., and Thomas J. Henderson named 2019 Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers

Legal Leaders Top Rated Lawyers By Martaindale-Hubbell 2018

2018 Legal Leaders

David Sanford, H. Vince McKnight Jr., and Thomas J. Henderson named 2018 Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers

Ranked In Chambers USA 2020

2020 Chambers & Partners

Ranked in USA by Chambers and Partners in 2020

David Sanford ranked as a Chambers USA 2020 Leader in the Field in New York for Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs Representation

Ranked In Chambers USA 2019

2019 Chambers & Partners

Ranked in USA by Chambers and Partners in 2019

David Sanford ranked as a Chambers USA 2019 Leader in the Field in New York for Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs Representation

Top Ranked USA Chambers 2018

2018 Chambers & Partners

Ranked in USA by Chambers and Partners in 2018

David Sanford ranked as a Chambers USA 2018 Leader in the Field in New York for Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs Representation

Top Ranked USA Chambers 2017

2017 Chambers & Partners

Ranked in USA by Chambers and Partners in 2017

David Sanford ranked as a Chambers USA 2017 Leader in the Field in New York for Labor & Employment: Mainly Plaintiffs Representation

Top Ranked USA Chambers 2016

2016 Chambers & Partners

Ranked in USA by Chambers and Partners in 2016

Top Rated Lawyers

Top Rated Lawyers

American Lawyer- Top Rated Employment Lawyers

Corporate Counsel- Top Rated Employment Lawyers

National Law Journal- Top Rated Employment Lawyers

Women Worth Watching In Leadership 2022

2022 Women Worth Watching

Christine Dunn – 2022 Women Worth Watching Award Recipient

Melinda Koster – 2022 Women Worth Watching Award Recipient

Women Worth Watching In Leadership 2021

Profiles in Diversity Journal – Woman Worth Watching

2019 Women Worth Watching

Saba Bireda a recipient of the 2019 Women Worth Watching Award by the Profiles in Diversity Journal.

Most Trustworthy Companies Of The Year 50, 2018

Silicon Review – 50 Most Trustworthy Companies

50 Best Companies to Watch 2020

Sanford Heisler Sharp was named one of the 50 best companies to watch in 2020 by Silicon Review.

TopVerdict.com Top 100 Jury Verdicts All Practice Areas, California 2017

2017 Top 10 Settlements

Named the 8th top class action settlement in California in 2017 by TopVerdict.com for the Google wage and hour class action settlement

TopVerdict.com Top 100 Jury Verdicts All Practice Areas, United States 2019

2019 Top 50 Jury Verdicts

Named the 28th top labor & employment verdict in the United States in 2019 by TopVerdict.com for the Beth Burns wrongful termination lawsuit

TopVerdict.com Top 100 Jury Verdicts All Practice Areas, California 2016

2016 Top 50 Jury Verdicts

Named the 12th top settlement in California in 2016 by TopVerdict.com for the Qualcomm gender discrimination class action

TopVerdict.com Top 100 Jury Verdicts All Practice Areas, California 2019

2019 Top 100 Jury Verdicts

Named the 91st top verdict in California in 2019 by TopVerdict.com for the Beth Burns wrongful termination lawsuit

TopVerdict.com Top 100 Jury Verdicts All Practice Areas, United States 2018

2018 Top 100 Jury Verdicts

Named the 62nd top civil rights violation verdict in the United States in 2018 by TopVerdict.com for the Ravina vs. Columbia University, et al.

Attorney Cover Feature Law Firm Of The Month 2016

San Diego Attorney Journal – Law Firm of the Month

San Diego Attorney Journal, February 2016

Wage And Hour Trial Lawyers Top 10

NTLA Top 10 Trial Lawyers – Wage and Hour

David Sanford – Top 10 Wage & Hour Trial Lawyers

Class Action Trail Lawyers Top 25

NTLA Top 25 Trial Lawyers – Class Action

David Sanford – Top 25 Class Action Trial Lawyers

The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40

NTLA Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers

Alexandra Harwin – Top 40 Under 40 Trial Lawyers in New York

Qiaojing Ella Zheng – Top 40 Under 40 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers in California

The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers

NTLA Top 100 Trial Lawyers

Kevin Sharp – The National Trial Lawyers Top 100

Deborah K. Marcuse – The National Trial Lawyers Civil Plaintiff Top 100

2022 Washingtonian’s Faces of Employment Discrimination

H. Vincent McKnight Jr.

Kate Mueting

Washingtonian

2020 Washingtonian – Washington, DC’s Best Lawyers: Employment Plaintiffs

David Sanford

Washingtonian

2019 Washingtonian – Washington, DC’s Best Lawyers: Employment Plaintiffs

David Sanford

Washingtonian

2018 Washingtonian – Washington, DC’s Best Lawyers: Employment Plaintiffs

David Sanford

Sanford Heisler Sharp, LLP - 2023 - Recognized by Best Lawyers

2023 Best Lawyers

Sanford Heisler Sharp – 2023 Best Lawyers

Sanford Heisler Sharp Recognized By Best Lawyers 2022

2022 Best Lawyers

Sanford Heisler Sharp – 2022 Best Lawyers

Best Lawyers Ones To Watch, Leigh Anne St. Charles 2022

2022 Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch

Leigh Anne St. Charles

Benchmark Litigation Labor & Employment 2021, Top 20 Trial Lawyers

2021 Benchmark Inaugural Top 20 Labor and Employment Litigators List

David Sanford

Deborah Marcuse

The National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiffs' Lawyers 2022

2022 The National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Trailblazers

Vince McKnight was named a 2022 Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazer by the National Law Journal

The National Law Journal Trailblazers Plaintiffs' Lawyers 2021

2021 The National Law Journal Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Trailblazers

Deborah Marcuse was named a 2021 Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Trailblazer by the National Law Journal

Profiles In Diversity Journal

2022 Latino Leaders Worth Watching

Felicia Gilbert

Maryland State Bar Association Leaders In Law 2022

2022 Maryland Daily Record and Maryland State Bar Association Leader in Law Honoree

Deborah Marcuse – Leadership in Law

Steve Kelly – Justice Champion

Profiles In Diversity Journal, Asian Leaders Worth Watching 2022

2022 Asian Leaders Worth Watching

Qiaojing Ella Zheng

2022 Business Insider Rising Star

Leigh Anne St. Charles

Daily Journal Top 100 Lawyers

2022 Daily Journal Top Labor & Employment Lawyers

Qiaojing Ella Zheng

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers

2022 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Civil Rights Firm of the Year

2022 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Civil Rights Firm of the Year – Sanford Heisler Sharp

2022 Elite Trial Lawyers’ Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar – Qiaojing Ella Zheng

2023 Best Lawyers

Sanford Heisler Sharp has been recognized by Best Lawyers for two distinct awards: Eight firm attorneys have received the The Best Lawyers® in America award, and two firm attorneys have received the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America award. Many of these attorneys have been recognized for these awards for several consecutive years.

David Sanford has been recognized in The Best Lawyers® in America 2023 for work in Employment Law – Individuals. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2019. He is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp.

Kevin H. Sharp has been recognized in The Best Lawyers® in America 2023 for work in Employment Law – Individuals. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers every year since 2008, with a focus on civil rights legal matters. He is the Co-Vice Chairman of Sanford Heisler Sharp.

H. Vincent “Vince” McKnight, Jr., has been recognized in The Best Lawyers® in America 2023 for work in Qui Tam Law and Commercial Litigation. He has been recognized since 2008 for his work in Commercial Litigation and Qui Tam Law. He is the Co-Managing Partner of the Washington, DC office and Co-Ombudsperson.

Kate Mueting has been recognized in The Best Lawyers® in America 2023 for work in Qui Tam Law and Commercial Litigation. She has been recognized since 2021 for her work in Employment Law – Individuals and Litigation – Labor and Employment. She is the Firm Administrative Partner for Sanford Heisler Sharp.

Leigh Anne St. Charles has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America 2023 for work in Qui Tam Law and Commercial Litigation. She has been recognized since 2021 in Labor and Employment Law – Employee matters. She is the Nashville Managing Partner of Sanford Heisler Sharp.