Sona R. Shah

With over 20 years of experience practicing law, Sona is a partner in the firm’s Complex Litigation Department, where she will focus on litigating all phases of class actions.

“Class actions are one of the most effective forms of impact litigation. Litigation at this level can make large-scale change that benefits society as a whole,” Sona explained. “My many years of experience have given me the perspective needed to understand what is important in the grand scheme of litigation.”

With her diligent attention to detail without losing sight of the overall picture, Sona is known for her ability to manage complex cases effectively and efficiently.

Securing Meaningful Results

Previously, Sona has lent her expertise to a wide array of cases and clients. Her previous work includes both civil rights litigation on behalf of wrongfully convicted individuals who were exonerated as well as representing labor unions, government entities, individual investors and consumers in litigation against corporate defendants, including major pharmaceutical companies, oil companies, broker-dealers, and auditors.

Sona served as the leading member of commercial litigation teams that secured:

• $399 million total in settlements reached in an end-payor plaintiff class action against brand name and generic drug manufacturers over an alleged pay-for-delay scheme that violated antitrust laws.
• $68 million total in settlements in a securities fraud class action on behalf of investors, based in part on successfully proving spoliation due to failure to preserve electronically stored information.
• $80 million limited fund settlement in cases alleging that broker-dealers could be held liable for misrepresentations made in offering documents.
• $42 million settlement on behalf of investors, in securities fraud class action against an international oil and gas company.

As the leading member on the civil rights litigation teams, she also helped secure the following results:

• $12.5 million settlement on behalf of a wrongfully convicted plaintiff that served 23 years in prison for a double homicide due to coercive police tactics leading to improper identification.
• $11.7 million settlement on behalf of wrongfully convicted plaintiff that served 20 years in prison for rape and murder due to coercive police tactics leading to a false confession, before being cleared by DNA evidence.

These significant settlements across commercial litigation and civil rights teams highlight Sona’s impressive ability to navigate complex legal landscapes in pursuit of justice for her clients.

Standing Up to Powerful Institutions

Sona is currently part of several high-profile lawsuits against financial institutions that offer unreasonably low interest rates on cash sweep accounts. This practice allows institutions to make a large profit while providing minimal returns for their clients. 

Some of the cases Sona is involved in include: 

• Conran v. Raymond James Financial, Inc.
• Estate of Bernard J. Sherlip v. Morgan Stanley
• Goldsmith v. UBS Financial Services Inc.
• Mehlman v. Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
• Nadolny v. Wells Fargo & Company
• Nevitt v. LPL Financial Holdings Inc.

Creating Systemic Change

Sona views her work as an attorney as an opportunity to create change both on small and large scales. “Systemic change is a marathon, not a sprint, and I am dedicated to slowly eliminating systems that cause harm to people,” she explained.

As a South Asian woman, Sona brings a unique perspective to litigation that contributes to broader, more inclusive discussions and strategies. Her extensive experience, successful track record and commitment to systemic change make her a powerful advocate for her clients and an influential force in the field of law.