Kenneth E. SharpersonPartner, Chair of the Diversity Committee AssistantJeanne Spera
973.242.1364 Ext. 9015
jspera@wglaw.com Kenneth serves as national counsel for clients in sophisticated insurance coverage litigation and commercial litigation matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts.
Kenneth serves as national counsel for clients in sophisticated insurance coverage litigation and commercial litigation matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts.
Kenneth handles the defense of claims related to directors and officers (D&O) insurance matters, mass tort and environmental issues, media, technology and cyber liability, residual value insurance, financial institution bonds, errors and omissions, employment practices liability insurance, property insurance and professional liability matters.
Kenneth also handles the defense of claims in a manner that preserves or improves the insurer's relationship with its insured, especially where liability and coverage are relatively clear in the underlying claim.
Kenneth is part of the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance's Education Working Group. This group focuses on how structural racism informs various areas of law and is responsible for producing research papers and other work products. The information will be included in the Systemic Racism Legal Inventory. He also received his certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. Earners of the certificate, have learned the essential practices and tools designed to increase employee diversity and to create a business model that embraces equity and inclusion.
In 2021, Kenneth received the Oliver Randolph Award from the Garden State Bar Association. This honor is in recognition of Sharperson excelling in his professional endeavors and exhibiting an unwavering commitment to service. In 2020, he was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Trailblazers in Law for his efforts to diversify the legal profession. In 2019, Kenneth was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Diverse Attorneys of the Year.
Kenneth E. SharpersonPartner, Chair of the Diversity Committee Kenneth serves as national counsel for clients in sophisticated insurance coverage litigation and commercial litigation matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts.
Kenneth serves as national counsel for clients in sophisticated insurance coverage litigation and commercial litigation matters before federal and state trial and appellate courts.
Kenneth handles the defense of claims related to directors and officers (D&O) insurance matters, mass tort and environmental issues, media, technology and cyber liability, residual value insurance, financial institution bonds, errors and omissions, employment practices liability insurance, property insurance and professional liability matters.
Kenneth also handles the defense of claims in a manner that preserves or improves the insurer's relationship with its insured, especially where liability and coverage are relatively clear in the underlying claim.
Kenneth is part of the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance's Education Working Group. This group focuses on how structural racism informs various areas of law and is responsible for producing research papers and other work products. The information will be included in the Systemic Racism Legal Inventory. He also received his certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. Earners of the certificate, have learned the essential practices and tools designed to increase employee diversity and to create a business model that embraces equity and inclusion.
In 2021, Kenneth received the Oliver Randolph Award from the Garden State Bar Association. This honor is in recognition of Sharperson excelling in his professional endeavors and exhibiting an unwavering commitment to service. In 2020, he was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Trailblazers in Law for his efforts to diversify the legal profession. In 2019, Kenneth was recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of the Diverse Attorneys of the Year.
ExperienceDefended a premises liability case after a five-day jury trial where the plaintiff alleged that she slipped and fell in unidentified liquid on a tile floor. The cause of the fall was initially identified as the plaintiff tripping on the carpeted area for an unknown reason as there were no defects in the area. The plaintiff sustained a closed head injury and a displaced, comminuted distal humerus fracture for which she underwent open reduction with internal fixation. The medical records confirmed that the plaintiff reported tripping on the carpet. Despite the witness accounts that the plaintiff tripped over her own feet, she continued to prosecute the case claiming she fell on liquid. After the trial, where the defense focused on the inconsistent stories of what caused the plaintiff to fall, the jury found that there was no water on the floor where the plaintiff alleged she fell, and that the client was not negligent in causing the plaintiff’s fall (6-0). The plaintiff’s initial settlement demand was $500,000.
Obtained Court Order granting the motion to dismiss in Supreme Court of New York pursuant to CPLR 3012(b) due to Plaintiff's lack of meritorious claim
Successfully opposed plaintiffs’ motion to reinstate an administratively dismissed case (which often does not occur) and successfully opposed reconsideration. Worked with client who became involved with the case at the 11th hour and was able to resolve case with plaintiffs’ counsel
Speaking Engagements- 11.18.21Speaker, "Insurance Law Bootcamp: Claims Made Policies," New Jersey State Bar Association
- 10.19.21Panelist, "Bridging Generational Gaps in the Litigation, Insurance, and Claims Industries In 2021," CLM Focus Conference
- 10.14.21Speaker, "DRP Ethics: Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias - Implicit Bias in Mediation and Arbitration"
Professional & Community Involvement
American Arbitration Association National Roster of Arbitrators, Panelist
Garden State Bar Association, Past Board of Directors, Member
New Jersey Supreme Court District XIII Fee Arbitration Committee, Chairman
New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, Member
New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution, Member
New Jersey State Bar Association, Leadership Academy, Dean
New Jersey State Bar Association, Past Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee, Past Board of Trustees, Member
Claims and Litigation Management (CLM) Magazine, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Member
Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member
AssistantJeanne Spera
973.242.1364 Ext. 9015
jspera@wglaw.com |
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