Sharna Wahlgren is a shareholder working within Leonard, Street and Deinard’s Intellectual Property practice as well as the firm’s Business and Commercial litigation group. She has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in litigation matters across the country, focusing on patent and trademark infringement, franchise litigation, unfair competition and trade secret litigation.

Sharna handles all aspects of patent cases, and has significant experience with matters involving non-practicing entities. She represents diverse clients in numerous industries, handling patent infringement matters involving an array of technologies, including gemstone enhancement, chemical compounds, computer software, medical devices, commercial refrigeration systems, snowmobile equipment, automotive maintenance equipment, adhesives and a variety of consumer products and mechanical devices.

A frequent writer and commentator on cutting edge intellectual property issues and litigation trends, Sharna recently spoke before audiences for the National Business Institute, the American Intellectual Property Law Association and the Minnesota chapter of the Federal Bar Association. Sharna has also been named among The Best Lawyers in America.

Professional and Civic Activities

• American Bar Association 
           Forum on Franchising Section
           Intellectual Property Section
• Federal Bar Association
           Intellectual Property Section
           Markman Study Group
• Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association 
           Board of Directors
           Chair, Programs Committee
           Women in Intellectual Property Law
• Minnesota Women Lawyers
• Minnesota State Bar Association
• Board of Directors, Hennepin County Bar Foundation
• Board of Directors, Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies

 Representative publications and presentations include:
 

• “Protecting Your Company From Electronic-Data Litigation Risks,” Co-author, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (January 5, 2007)
• “Working With Expert Witnesses,” Evidence, National Business Institute (October 1, 2007)
• “The Road Ahead: New Developments in the Courts, Congress, and the PTO,” Panel Moderator, Advanced Patent Litigation Series, American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA) (June 15, 2007)
• “Settlement from the Judicial and In-House Counsel Perspective,” Panel Moderator, Federal Bar Association (Minnesota Chapter) Annual Practice Seminar (June 6, 2007)
• “Patent Litigation: Strategy and Procedures for ITC Proceedings, the Impact of Recent Cases, and Views from the Bench,” Panelist, Federal Bar Association (Minnesota Chapter) Annual Practice Seminar (June 6, 2007)
• “Patent Trolls and Other Cutting Edge Intellectual Property Issues,” Panel Moderator, Federal Bar Association (Minnesota Chapter) Annual Practice Seminar (June 13, 2006)
• “Trademarks,” Panel Moderator, Protection of Intellectual Property Rights, Center for International Legal Studies, Kitzbuhel, Austria (March 12-18, 2006)

Education

J.D., cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School
           Managing editor, Minnesota Journal of Global Trade
           Warren E. Burger Inn of Court
           Treasurer, Environmental Law Society

B.A., magna cum laude, Economics and Political Science, University of Minnesota
            Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi
            Violinist with University Symphony

Admissions
 

• State of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit