Wendi A. Sorensen
Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law
Shareholder— Joined Burch & Cracchiolo in 2011
wsorensen@bcattorneys.com
(P) 602.234.9910 (C) 602.615.0520 (F) 602.343.7910
Wendi has been certified by the State Bar of Arizona as a specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death law due to her 35 years of litigation experience in both state and federal court. Her practice focuses on providing mediation services and defending aggravated liability and damages matters, including Federal Motor Carrier (trucking accident) cases, vehicular products liability matters, construction site injury and death matters, and premises liability cases.
Biography
Wendi serves as Chair of the State Bar of Arizona's Board of Legal Specialization, the committee responsible for setting standards and vetting potential certified specialists in Arizona. She also serves as a Judge Pro Tem and as a member of the Executive Board of the American Board of Trial Advocates (Phoenix Chapter).
Prior to joining Burch & Cracchiolo, Wendi served as Chief Trial Attorney and Major Case Counsel for one of the largest commercial insurance carriers in the world. Wendi is licensed to practice law in both Arizona and California.
Representative Engagements
- Defense of trucking litigation matters with allegations of conspicuity and logbook violations, FMCSR required maintenance and driving technique
- Products liability matters including vehicular safety system and tire failures, safety cage and seat belt failures, propane explosions, motorized wheelchair incline and balance failures
- Wrongful death and significant injury cases stemming from automobile and motorcycle accidents, construction site injuries, assaults and facility design defects
- Dram shop litigation; hospitality industry litgation including sexual assaults on hotel premises
- Construction site and workplace injuries, including related indemnification, OSHA and workers compensation issues
- Complex injury matters including severe traumatic brain injuries, paralysis, and premature birth allegedly caused by automobile accidents
Professional Leadership
Judge Pro Tem
Executive Board, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Phoenix Chapter
Chair, Arizona State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of California
Member,State Bar of Arizona, Board of Legal Specialization
Chair, 2015-2016, Personal Injury Advisory Commission to the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Arizona
Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2016-2019
Articles
The B&C Story of Weathering a Global Pandemic: One Law Firm’s Resilience Through Service and Integrity – September 30, 2020
Wendi Sorensen on Alcohol and Holiday Parties-Phoenix Business Journal “Ask the Legal Professionals” – December 01, 2014
Wendi Sorensen on Mitigating Your Exposure-Phoenix Business Journal-“Ask the Legal Professionals” – October 06, 2014
B&C’s Wendi Sorensen on Worker’s Comp Insurance-Phoenix Business Journal-Ask the Legal Professionals – July 25, 2014
B&C’s Wendi Sorensen on General Liability-Ask the Legal Professionals – May 30, 2014
Phoenix Business Journal-Ask the Legal Professionals-Premises Liability – April 02, 2014
Ask the Legal Professionals-Phoenix Business Journal-January 2014 – January 31, 2014
Presentations and Publications
- Presenter, "Pre-suit Strategies for Defending Potential Claims Against Commercial Carriers", Primerus Defense Institute Transportation Seminar
- Seminar Chair, numerous presentations to independent trucking companies on liability law and evidence preservation through the Arizona Trucking Association
- Author, The “Alternative” Practice: ADR as a Means, Not Just an End. Trial Practice: Vol. 5 #2 , Summer, 1994
- State Bar of Arizona, Seminar Lecturer, "Innovative Means in Mediation: Optimizing Your Position"
Honors & Awards
Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2013, 2015-2021
Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2021
Arizona's Finest Lawyers 2011-2021
Most Influential Women in Business in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine 2015
Southwest Super Lawyers 2012-2021
Arizona Business Magazine Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2014, 2017-2021
Arizona Business Leaders Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2019-2021
Education
J.D., Arizona State University, 1984
- William H. Pedrick Scholar
B.S., Business/Economics and Behavioral Sciences, Westminster College, 1981
- Joseph E. Benedict Outstanding Graduate Award
- Leah Wyer Outstanding Female Graduate Award
- B.F. Skinner Outstanding Behavioral Sciences Graduate Award
Admitted In
Arizona
California
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States District Court for the District of Arizona