Wendi A. Sorensen
Certified Specialist in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Law
Shareholder— Joined Burch & Cracchiolo in 2011
602.234.9910 602.615.0520 (cell) 602.343.7910
Wendi Sorensen specializes in Alternative Dispute Resolution, including mediation, arbitration and settlement conferences. She has mediated to resolution countless matters, both privately in her practice and as a Judge Pro Tem. She also serves as a special master to assist in the resolution of discovery issues.
She has been honored as one of the Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona by Southwest Super Lawyers nine times, and has been designated a Southwest Super Lawyer every year she has been eligible. Phoenix Magazine recently named her as a Top Lawyer in both Arbitration and Mediation and Insurance Law. She has also been recognized repeatedly by Best Lawyers in America, Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, and as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona by Arizona Business Magazine.
Assistant
Biography
Wendi Sorensen is a State Bar Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Law, a testament to her nearly four-decade practice in aggravated liability and damages matters including Federal Motor Carrier cases, vehicular products liability matters, construction site injury and death matters, premises liability cases, coverage and medical malpractice matters. Thus, she brings to her ADR practice extensive experience in the legal, factual and emotional disputes that arise in litigated case, and is particularly talented at bringing cases to agreeable resolutions.
Ms. Sorensen is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) and the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). She is an active member of both the Arizona State and Maricopa County bars, currently serving as the chair of the Board of Legal Specialization for the State Bar of Arizona.
Due to her extensive courtroom experience, she is also a frequent featured speaker high-level bar seminars. Ms. Sorensen brings a depth of knowledge and considerable communication skills to presentations and mediations alike.
To schedule a MEDIATION appointment with Wendi, please click your preferred available date.
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
- Chair, Arizona State Bar Board of Legal Specialization
- Chair, Personal Injury Advisory Commission to Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of Arizona 2015-2016
- Vice Chair, State Bar of Arizona Fee Advisory Committee
- Member, State Bar of Arizona Fee Arbritration Program, 2023-2026
- Inaugural Member, Women Mediator Neutrals Group
Honors & Awards
Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2013, 2015-2022, 2024
Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2025
Arizona's Finest Lawyers 2011-2024
Most Influential Women in Business in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine 2015
Southwest Super Lawyers 2012-2024
Arizona Business Magazine Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2014, 2017-2022
Arizona Business Leaders Magazine, Top Lawyers, 2019-2022
Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Arbitration & Mediation, 2022-2024
Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyers, Bad Faith Insurance Coverage, 2022
Forbes Advisor, Best Wrongful Death Lawyers, Phoenix, AZ, 2023
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Arizona
State Bar of California
Chair, State Bar of Arizona, Board of Legal Specialization 2020-2022, 2022-2024
Chair, Personal Injury Advisory Commission to the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of Arizona 205-2016
Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2016-2022
Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, 2022
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
Articles
Testimonials
M. David Karnas:
This was my first mediation with Wendi and highly recommend her. As a plaintiff’s lawyer it is always great to experience a mediator who has genuine empathy and can relate to my clients.
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"