Wendi A. Sorensen
Mediator, Arbitrator, Attorney
Biography
A Distinguished Career in Litigation, Mediation, and Arbitration
Admitted In
- Arizona
- California
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court for the District of Arizona
Wendi Sorensen, an Arizona State Bar Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Law and a widely respected attorney throughout the state, has nearly 40 years of litigation experience, including notable work in mediation and arbitration.
Recognized among Arizona’s Top 25 Women Attorneys and a Southwest Super Lawyer, she skillfully navigates complex cases through mediation, guiding parties to effective and amicable resolutions.
Professional Affiliations
- 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 2015 – 2016
- Member, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, 2022 –
- Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2016 – 2022
Honors & Awards
- Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona, Southwest Super Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2013, 2015 – 2022, 2024
- Southwest Super Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2012 – 2024
- Best Lawyers in America, Litigation Insurance, Personal Injury,
Phoenix, Arizona, 2017 – 2025 - Arizona’s Finest Lawyers, 2011 – 2024
- Most Influential Women in Business in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine, 2015
- Arizona Business Magazine Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2014, 2021 – 2025
- 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
Mediation Experience
Focused Practice Areas
Wendi’s mediation practice spans a broad range of complex legal areas, including personal injury and wrongful death cases. She brings deep expertise to products liability, construction-related injuries, and premises liability disputes, skillfully navigating the intricacies of each case. Additionally, handling difficult cases in medical malpractice further underscores her comprehensive knowledge base and skillset to guide parties to find middle-ground in conflict resolution.
Other Case Experience
Arts (Fine/Performing)
Automotive
Aviation
Civil Rights
Commercial/Business
Construction
Elder Abuse
Employment
Franchise
Health Care
Industrial
Insurance
Landlord/Tenant
Legal Malpractice
Lemon Law
Libel & Slander
Medical Devices
Medical Malpractice
Natural Disasters
Personal Injury
Police Premises
Liability
Product Liability
Professional Liability
Professional Malpractice
Professional Negligence
Property Damage
Railroad & Trucking
Sexual Harassment
Torts
Transportation
Wrongful Death
Expertise & Contributions
Professional Leadership
- 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 Arbitration Program, 2023-2026
- Inaugural Member, Women Mediator Neutrals Group
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
Presentations & Publications
- Presenter, Successful Mediation Techniques and Strategies for Success in Mediation CLE by the Sea 2024, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter, Effective Mediation Practices, 2023 Insurance Law Symposium, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter and Faculty for three-day Trial Track Presentation, Unmask your Case’s Potential, CLE by the Sea 2022, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter, Dealing with High Stress Litigation/Effectively Interacting with Opposing Counsel, 2021 Insurance Law Symposium, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter, Evaluation of Demand Packages and Policy Limit Demands, CLE in the Red Rocks: Advanced Personal Injury Conference for Plaintiffs’ and
- Defense Counsel 2020, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter, Lifestyle and Stress Management in a Litigation Practice, CLE in the Red Rocks: Advanced Personal Injury Conference for Plaintiffs’ and
- Defense Counsel 2020, State Bar of Arizona
- Presenter and Faculty for three-day Trial Track Presentation, The Do’s and Don’ts of Expert Witnesses, CLE by the Sea 2019, State Bar of Arizona
- 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
- Presenter, Innovative Means in Mediation: Optimizing Your Position, State Bar of Arizona
Representative Engagements
- Defensive trucking litigation matters with allegations of conspicuity and logbook violations, FM CSR 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 litigation 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 death allegedly caused by automobile accidents