`

Skip to content »

We are experienced, determined and committed. We work together to prove our value every day to our clients and to each other.

Practice Areas

  • Complex Litigation
  • Appellate
  • Insurance
  • Life Sciences
  • Pay Equity
  • Employment

Education

  • J.D., University of Chicago Law School

  • Ph.D., University of Chicago

  • M.A., Stanford University

  • B.A., Rutgers University

  • Advanced Training in Clinical Trials Management, University of Chicago

Admissions and Qualifications

  • Illinois
  • New York
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of Illinois, N.D. Indiana, W.D. Michigan

Prior Experience

  • Kirkland & Ellis, LLP - Associate, Partner (1985-1995)
  • Jenner & Block, LLP - Partner (1995-2007)
  • Schoeman, Updike, Kaufman & Scharf - Partner (2007-2012)

Stephanie A. Scharf

312-662-6999

Attorney Tabs

Publishing & Speaking

Publications:  Legal Issues

  • S. Scharf, G. Sax and S. Marmor (eds.),  Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, 2nd Edition. Practising Law Institute (PLI), 2021.

  • S. Scharf, G. Sax, S. Marmor, and M. Churma, "Expert Evidence — Law, Strategies and Best Practices."  Product Liability Litigation: Current Law Strategies and Best Practices, 2d Edition. Practising Law Institute (PLI), 2021. 
  • "Update on the Law: Illinois Imposes Strict Liability for Sexual Harassment by Any Supervisor." Client Alert, April 2009.
  • "FDA Proposes Revised CBE Rules and Reiterates Preemptive Authority," FDLI's UPDATE, Issue 2, March/April 2008.
  • "Punitive Damages in the Supreme Court: How Much is Too Much?" FDLI's UPDATE, Issue 3, May/June 2007.
  • "Foreign Plaintiffs Battle to Keep Class Claims in U.S. Courts," Co-Author, FDLI's UPDATE, Issue 1, January/February 2007.
  • "New Rulings in Drug Cases Highlight Debate Over Preemption," Law.com, October 2006.
  • "FDA's Comments Herald New Strength for Preemption Defense in Drug Product Litigation," Co-Author, FDLI's UPDATE, Issue 5, September/October 2006.         
  • "The Use of Toxicology in Tort Litigation: A Survey of Federal and State Jurisdictions," Editor, American Bar Association, May 2005.
  • "FDA Issues Final Guidances for Pharmaceutical Risk Assessment and Risk Management," Jenner & Block Client Alert, March 2005.
  • "A Business Approach to Minimizing Product Liability Litigation," Minimizing Product Liability Litigation (Aspatore Books), 2005.
  • "Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices," presented at TechLaw Group, Inc. International CLE Session, April 2004.
  • "The Evidentiary Impact of Regulatory Action on Product Litigation in the United States," Product Liability Advisory Council, March 2004.
  • "The Use of Epidemiology in Tort Litigation: A Survey of Federal and State Jurisdictions," Editor, American Bar Association, July 2003.
  • "Secondary Evidence Need Not Recreate Language of Missing Insurance Policy, California Supreme Court Rules," Jenner & Block Insurance Newsletter, 2003.
  • "Marketing Pharmaceutical Products on the Internet: Managing Risks and Limiting Liabilities in the World of E-Commerce," Products Liability, American Bar Association, Vol. 12, No.2, 2001.
  • "Communications Specialists Help With Damage Control," U.S. Business Litigation Magazine, February 1997.

Publications: Diversity Issues

  • "Hybrid Work Models Are Key To Gender Parity in Law Firms," Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf, Law360, July 2021.
  • "Law Firm Talent Must Reflect Shifting US Demographics," Stephanie A. Scharf and Roberta D. Liebenberg, Law360, June 2021.
  • “Practicing Law in the Pandemic and Moving Forward,” Stephanie A. Scharf and Roberta D. Liebenberg, American Bar Association, April 2021.
  • “Working Mothers Need a ‘New Deal’ to Survive the ‘New Normal,” Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf, Law.com, April 2021.
  • “Five Ways Firms Can Avoid Female Attorney Exodus During the Pandemic,” Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf,  Law360, October 2020.  
  • "Law Firms Must Note Pandemic's Outsize Impact on Women," Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf, Law 360, July 2020.
  • "Walking Out the Door – The Facts, Figures and Future of Experienced Women Lawyers in Private Practice," Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf, published jointly by the American Bar Association and American Lawyer Media Intelligence, November 2019.
  • "Looking Out for Women in the Workplace," Stephanie A. Scharf, Interview with Start TV, November 2018.
  • "The Power of Partnering," Stephanie Scharf, N. Nate Saint Victor and Antonio C. Castro.  NAMWOLF, December 2016.
  • "First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table," Stephanie A. Scharf and Roberta D. Liebenberg, American Bar Association,  July 2015.
  • "NAWL Annual Survey of Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms," Authored or co-authored each annual report from 2006-2014. National Association of Women Lawyers, 2006-2014.
  • "The Strategy, Structure and Scope of Women's Initiatives in Law Firms," NAWL Foundation, 2012.
  • "Power of the Purse; How General Counsel Can Impact Pay Equity for Women Lawyers," Lauren Rikleen, Roberta D. Liebenberg and Stephanie A. Scharf, American Bar Association, 2012.

Speaking Engagements: Legal Issues

  • "PLAC 2019 Fall Conference," PLAC, Chicago, IL, October 2-4, 2019.
  • “Mock Trial Opening Statement,” ABA Section of Litigation, New York, NY, May 2019.
  • “What Every In-house Lawyer Needs to Know About Compliance,” Walmart Conference, Bentonville, AR, January 31, 2017.
  • “Alternative Fee Arrangements,” NAMWOLF 2016 Annual Meeting, Houston, TX, September 14-17, 2016.
  • "Religious Liberty in the United States and Israel" (Moderator), Jewish Lawyers Conference, Chicago, Illinois, May 2016.
  • "Jury Selection: How to Find the Needle in the Haystack," DRI Women in the Law Seminar, Miami, Florida, March 2013.
  • "Update on the Law of Expert Evidence," Practicing Law Institute's Federal Civil Update, Chicago, Illinois, October 2012.
  • "Unconscious Bias in Jury Selection," Product Liability Advisory Council 2012 Spring Conference, Asheville, North Carolina, April 2012.
  • "Update on the Law of Expert Evidence," Practicing Law Institute's Federal Civil Update, Chicago, Illinois, October 2011.
  • "Changing Demographics of Jury Pools", Product Liability Advisory Council Fall Conference, October 2009.
  • "Best Practices for Managing the Risks of Nanotech Medical Products," Food and Drug Law Institute's First Annual Conference on Nanotechnology Law, Regulation and Policy, February 2008.
  • "Risk Management Strategies for Prescription Medical Products," Central Business Intelligence, December 2007.
  • "Post Sale Duty to Warn, Recall, and Retrofit: Prescription Devices and Pharmaceuticals," American Bar Association, August 2007.
  • "Appellate Advocacy in Illinois: Best Practices for Written and Oral Argument," National Association of Women Lawyers, July 2007.
  • "Drug/Device Co-Development: Litigation Risk Management Strategies," 50th Annual FDLI and FDA Conference, April 2007.
  • "Hone Your Skills: Negotiate!" University of Chicago Women's Business Group, October 2006.
  • "Post-Marketing Event Reports and Clinical Trial Data: Potential Uses and Abuses in Litigation," American Conference Institute, June 2006.
  • "Psychology of Expert Testimony," Product Liability Advisory Council, April 2006.
  • "Assess the Current Regulatory Environment for Risk/Benefit Communication," The Center for Business Intelligence, November 2005.
  • "Damage Control: Corporate Counsel's Role in Containing and Resolving Corporate Crises," Lexis/Nexis Counsel to Counsel Seminar, May 2005.
  • "Risk Assessment and Risk Management Before the Product Launch," Food and Drug Law Institute, January 2005.
  • "Consumer Fraud Litigation in Illinois," Product Liability Advisory Council, October 2004.
  • "Consumer Fraud Litigation: Law and Defenses in Illinois," Product Liability Advisory Council, September 2004.
  • "Risk Analysis and Resource Allocation: The Art of Managing Costs," Corporate Legal Times Super Conference, June 2004.
  • "Post Sale Responsibilities: Impact of Agency Activities on Product Litigation," Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), April 2004.
  • "Our Federalism: Court Problems and Potential Solutions in Multi-District Litigation," Class Actions and Consolidated Mass Tort Litigation, American Bar Association Joint Seminar of the Environmental Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Committees, March 2004.
  • "Mealey's Fundamentals of Insurance Coverage Law Conference," October 2003.
  • "Mealey's Trial Preparation Skills for Paralegals," April 2003.
  • "Evolving Asbestos Coverage Issues in an Era of Exponential Growth in the Number of Defendants," Mealey's Advanced Insurance Coverage Conference: Top 10 Issues for Practitioners, January 2003.
  • "Class Action Defense, Chicago Bar Association Class Litigation Committee," October 2002.
  • "Post-Sale Duties to Warn, Recall and Retrofit: A Midwest Survey: Manufacturers Face Differing Duties in the Midwest," American Bar Association, March 2002.
  • "Use of Foreign Experts and Foreign Studies," American Bar Association Products Liability Committee Annual Meeting, March 2002.
  • "Marketing Products on the Internet: Managing Risks, Limiting Liabilities and Litigating Disputes," Co-Chair, American Bar Association National Institute, September 2000.
  • "Identifying and Managing Risks of Product Liability Litigation from Internet Sales," Hackers-Spammers-Cyber-Squatters- Business Torts on the Electronic Frontier, American Bar Association Annual Meeting, July 2000.
  • "Product Liability.com-New Issues and New Solutions," American Bar Association Section of Litigation/Products Liability Committee Midyear Meeting, February 2000.
  • "After Kumho Tire: The Court as the Gatekeeper of Expert Testimony," Deloitte & Touche Annual Meeting, September 1999.
  • "After Kumho Tire: The Court as the Gatekeeper of Expert Testimony," Deloitte & Touche National Consulting Conference, Chicago, Illinois, August 26, 1999.
  • "Crisis Management," Joint ACCA/Chicago Bar Association Seminar, April 1999.
  • "The Court as the Gatekeeper of Expert Evidence," Chair, American Bar Association Regional Institute, May 1999.
  • "The Media and Products Litigation," For The Defense Magazine, Defense Research Institute, October 1996.
  • "Immigration Reform and the Federal Law of Employment Discrimination," The New Simpson-Rodino Immigration Law of 1986 (S. Mailman, ed.), pp.202-223, Prentice Hall, New York, 1986.

Speaking Engagements: Diversity Issues

  • “Female Leadership in the Legal Profession”, Keynote Speaker, Northwestern Law Women's Leadership Coalition (WLC), February 3, 2022, Webinar.
  • “The New She/Cession,” Berkeley Research Group (BRG), November 17, 2021, Webinar.
  • “The $250,000 Difference What Does Gender Have to Do With It?,” Illinois State Bar Association, November 12, 2021, Webinar.
  • “Practicing Law in the Pandemic and Moving Forward,” Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, November 5, 2021, Hersey, PA.
  • “Practicing in the Pandemic: What We’re Learned and Strategies as we Move Forward,” Westlaw, November 4, 2021, Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg.​
  • "Post-Pandemic Workplace: The Challenges Faced by Women," Illinois State Bar Association, October 22, 2021, Webinar, with Paulette Brown, Tiffany R. Harper and Lea Gutierrez
  • “Women in Law,” Defense Research Institute, October 13, 2021. Boston, MA, with Paulette Brown.
  • “Practice Forward for Law Students,” University of Miami, October 7, 2021, Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg.
  • “A Presentation on the Impact of the Pandemic on Women Globally, in the United States, and in the Legal Industry,” Kutak Rock LLP, October 6, 2021. Webinar.
  • “Covid-19 and the Impact of Diversity and Inclusion in the Practice of Law, September 30, 2021. Virtual, with Roberta D. Liebenberg, Cyndie Chang and Fatima Goss Gross.
  • “Women in Employment Law,” NAWL, September 28, 2021. Webinar.
  • “Preventing Burnout and Stress,” AHN, September 28, 2021. Webinar, with Paula Davis-Laack and Roberta D. Liebenberg.
  • “Law Firm Leaders Panel,” SCG Legal, September 24, 2021. San Francisco, CA.
  • “Women of Color in the Law,” Practicising Law Institute (PLI)/ – Women Lawyers Leadership 2021. September 23, 2021. Webinar.
  • “Mothers in the Law: Confronting the Challenges and Celebrating the Victories,” American Bar Association Commission on Women, September 22, 2021. Webinar.
  • “Tips for Making the Transition Back to the Office Less Stressful,” SCG Legal, August 4, 2021. Webinar.
  • “Motherhood and Caregiving Bias in the Legal Profession: Dismantling the Systemic Barriers to Entry,” ABA Commission on Women, July 28, 2021. Webinar.
  • "Chancellor's Forum COVID-19's Impact on the Legal Profession," Philadelphia Bar Association, June 14, 2021, Webinar.
  • "Fireside Chat on Legal Practice: What Will Change and What Will Be the Same," SCG Legal (For the Americas), December 9, 2020. Webinar.
  • "Fireside Chat on Legal Practice: What Will Change and What Will Be the Same," SCG Legal (For Europe), December 1, 2020. Webinar.
  • "A Conversation for Women Law and Their Firms Foundation for Success Now and Moving Forward," SCG Legal, November 18, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg and Lisa A. Borsook. 
  • "The New Normal of Global Corporate Board Membership," Webcast, DirectWomen, November 17, 2020. 
  • "Report on the Progress of Women in the Law" NAWL General Counsel Institute, Webcast, November 12, 2020.  
  • "Women in the Law: What New Research Tells Us About Achieving Meaningful Gender Diversity, November 10, 2020. With Roberta D. Liebenberg and Pauletta Brown. 
  • "Alliance for Women Speaking Initiative," Chicago Bar Association, Webinar, October 27, 2020.
  • "The Pandemic and Women in the Law Planning for Success as We Move Forward," Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., October 22, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg and Pauletta Brown.   
  • "The Pandemic's Outsize Impact on Women: Keeping Your Career On Track During Unprecedented Times," The Catholic University of America, October 7, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg and Paulette Brown.
  • "The Pandemic's Outsize Impact on Women: Keeping Your Career On Track During Unprecedented Times," Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, October 6, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg and Paulette Brown. 
  • "The Pandemic's Outsize Impact on Women: Keeping Your Career On Track During Unprecedented Times," National Association of Women Lawyers, September 30, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg. 
  • "Current Status of Women in the Legal Profession," 2nd Circuit Conference on Women in the Law, New York, NY, September 25, 2020. Webinar.
  • "Where Are We Now and Where Do We Go from Here?" NCWBA, Chicago, IL, July 31, 2020. Webinar, with Roberta D. Liebenberg. 
  •  "How to Maintain Inclusivity for Law Firms in a Remote Environment,"  LawLine, New York, NY, July 17, 2020, with Roberta Liebenberg and Paulette Brown. 
  • "Making a Short Story Longer: Strategies for Building Legal Careers for Women," Webcast, American Law Institute, June 18, 2020.
  • "Study Women and the Business of Law,"  New Jersey State Bar Association, New Jersey, May 15, 2020. Webcast. 
  • "Law Firm Gender Gap," ALM, Webcast, Chicago, IL, March 6, 2020.
  • "Walking Out the Door: Why Are Women More Likely Than Men to Leave Law?" Lawyer2Lawyer Podcast, December 19, 2019.
  • "2nd Annual Women in Law Conference," Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, Chicago, IL, December 5, 2019.
  • "We May Have Come a Long Way Baby...But Miles To Go," ABA Woman in Litigation, Chicago, IL, November 14, 2019.
  • “Long Term Careers for Women in the Law:  What Do We Know and What Can We Do About?” Federal Bar Association of the Southern District of Texas, Houston, TX, September 17, 2019.
  • “This Talk Isn’t Cheap: Women of Color & White Women Attorneys Find Common Ground,”  American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession, New York, NY, September 12, 2019. With Paulette Brown, Aracely Munoz Petrich, Lauren Goldberg.
  • “Growth Mindset: Resilience, Grit and Risk-Taking,”  Pfizer Leadership Summit on Women in the Law, New York, NY, May 8, 2019.
  • “Breaking into the Boardroom: The Pathways and the Process,” DirectWomen, Chicago, IL, April 2019.
  •  “Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law: Results of New Research,” Women’s Power Summit on Law & Leadership/Center for Women in Law at The University of Texas,  Austin, TX, April 2019.
  • "ABA Initiative on Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law,” Shearman & Sterling, New York, NY, February 2019.
  • “Law Firm Perspectives on Diversity and Inclusion,” George Mason University/Antonin Scalia Law School,  Arlington, VA, November 2018.
  • “Our Greatest Resource: Each Other," Crew Lehigh Valley 2018 Annual Legacy Event, Bethlehem, PA,  October 2018.
  • "Bias 2018, Workplace Harassment – You've Read About This in the News?...#MeToo," McDonald's, Chicago, IL, September 2018.
  • “Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law," American Bar Association,  Chicago IL, June 2018.
  • "Gender Diversity and the Legal Profession," Shearman & Sterling LLP, New York, NY, June 2018.
  • “A Current Glance at Women in Law," ABA Section of International Law Annual Conference, New York, NY, April 2018.
  • "George Boyer Vashon Lecture," Duane Morris LLP, Philadelphia, PA, April 2018.
  • "May It Please the Court," Symposium at the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, April 2018. 
  • "ABA Presidential Initiative/Commission on Women Research Project Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women Lawyers of Color," ABA, Chicago, IL, March 2018.
  • "Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law,” Women, Influence, and Power in the Law Conference, Washington, D.C., October 2017.
  • “Women Lawyers in the Courtroom,” Boston, MA, June 7, 2017.
  • "Addressing Gender Bias and Advancement and Retention of Women in Law Firms, the Profession, and the Courts,” New Jersey State Bar Association, Atlantic City, NJ, May 17, 2017.
  • "Surveys on Women Lawyers as Lead Counsel and Trial Counsel in Complex Litigation,” Center for Women in Law Conference, Houston, TX, February 23, 2017.
  • “First Chairs at Trial,”  American Bar Association/Product Liability Committee, Philadelphia, PA, November 3, 2016.
  • "First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table," American Bar Association, Webinar, November 2016.
  • “How I Got My First Big Break!” Coalition of Women’s Initiatives in Law, Chicago, IL, September 2016.
  • “First Chair at Trial,” National Association of Women Lawyers, New York, NY, July 12, 2016.
  • “Rainmakers: Born or Bred?,” Women Legal 2016, Chicago, IL, May 19, 2016.
  • “Women Lawyers in the Courtroom,” The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, IL, April 21, 2016.
  • “Legal Careers for Women,” Women's Mentoring Program/University of Chicago Law School, Chicago, Illinois, April 7, 2016.
  • "You Hit Like a Girl: Overcoming the Challenge of Unconscious Bias." American Bar Association/Section of Litigation, Chicago, Illinois, November 2015.
  • "Breaking into the Boardroom: The Pathways and The  Process," DirectWomen, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 2015.
  • “First Chairs at Trial More Women Need Seats at the Table,” Chicago Bar Association, Chicago, IL, October 8, 2015.
  • “Women as Leaders in Law: Where Are We Now,“ Phillip Corboy Law Center, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL, September 25, 2015.
  • “Women as Lead Counsel at Trial: What You Can Do to Take the Lead,” American Bar Association, Chicago, IL, August 1, 2015.
  • “Negotiating Scenarios for Women Lawyers,” Thompson Reuters Conference, Chicago, IL, May 28, 2015.
  • "Solutions and Best Practices for Diversity in the Legal Profession," Diversity Summit/Missouri Bar Association,  St. Louis, MO, May 20, 2015.
  • “Defining a Successful Women’s initiative,” National Association of Women Lawyers, West Point, NY, May 1, 2015.
  • “Negotiating Your Own Compensation: It’s Not About the Money,” American Bar Association, Chicago, IL, February 17, 2015.
  • “30 Women Blackstones,” ISBA, Chicago, Illinois, August 22, 2013.
  • "The Role of Women's Initiatives in Advancing Women Lawyers," National Association of Women Lawyers Webinar, April 2013.
  • "Capture Your Power: Your Role in Advancing Yourself and Other Women in the Legal Profession," American Bar Association, Chicago, Illinois, March 2013.
  • "Breaking the Class Ceiling," New York University School of Law Symposium, March 2013.
  • "Results of the First National Survey of Women's Initiatives," National Association of Women Lawyers Annual Meeting, New York, New York, July 2012.
  • "Flex Time Work Policies,” Walmart Conference, Bentonville, AR, June 2010.
  • "What Am I Worth? Attorney Compensation and Law Firm Billing in the New World Order," Duff & Phelps CLE seminar, Chicago, Illinois, June 2010.
  • "What Should You Do? Lessons Learned and Lessons to Be Learned About Business Development," Women Lawyers Alliance Inaugural Member Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, May 2010.
  • "Women in the Profession: Where We Were, Where We Are, Where We Should Be," Ohio Women Bar Association's Annual Meeting, Dayton, Ohio, May 2010.
  • "National Association of Women Lawyers Annual Survey on the Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms," American Bar Association on Women in the Profession, July 2009.
  • "Managing Diversity Expectations Between In-House and Outside Counsel," Martindale-Hubbell and Lexis Nexis, Washington, DC, April 2009.
  • "Managing and Developing Your Legal Career," ABA Women in Products Liability Ninth Annual Regional CLE Workshop, New York, New York, November 2008.
  • "Increasing the Use of Diverse Suppliers," Westchester and Fairfield County ACCA Diversity Summit Conference, October 2008.
  • "Impact of Attrition on Women in Large Firms on Judicial Diversity and Judicial Independence," National Association of Women Judges Mid-West Regional Conference, August 2008.
  • "Bridging the Gap: Disparity in Compensation and the Gender Equation," Young Lawyers Section of the Chicago Bar Association, March 2008.
  • "Negotiating Your Compensation and Severance," Minority Corporate Council Association's 7th Annual CLE Expo, March 2008
  • "2007 National Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms," National Conference of Women's Bar Association, February 2008.