Experience

Rating: 10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America

2019

Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America

2018

Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America

2017

Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America

2016

Best Lawyers, Family Law Section, Best Lawyers in America

2016

Leaders in the Law, Elon University and NC Lawyers Weekly

2015

Women Leaders in the Law, Legal Leaders™, American Law Media and Fortune Magazine

2007

General Practice Hall of Fame, North Carolina Bar Association

2007

Frank Porter Graham Award, North Carolina ACLU

2000

Professional of the Year Award, Triangle Business and Professional Guild

1992

Legislative Award, North Carolina AFL-CIO

1991

Distinguished Women Awards Nominee, State of North Carolina

1990

Margaret Sanger Award, Planned Parenthood of Raleigh

1987

Annual Award for Outstanding Accomplishment, NC Association of Women Attorneys

1983

Citation for Architectural Conservation for Rehabilitation, Historic Preservation Society of Durham

1979

Recipient of MS. Foundation grant, North Carolina Coalition for Choice

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Work Experience

2012 - Present

Of Counsel, NicholsonPham

2005 - 2005

Adjunct Professor, University of North Carolina Law School

1996 - 1998

Adjunct Professor, North Carolina Central University Law School

1991 - 1991

Legislative Agent, North Carolina Clinical Social Work Society

1991 - 1991

Legislative Agent, North Carolina Legal Services Resource center

1991 - 2012

Attorney, Sharon Thompson Law Group

1989 - 1990

Senior Partner, Thompson & Burgess

1981 - 1986

Administrative Hearing Officer, North Carolina Department of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services

1979 - 1989

Shareholder, Thompson & McAllaster

1976 - 1979

Partner, Firm of Deborah Mailman and Sharon Thompson

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Associations

1994 - Present

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys

Founding Member

1976 - Present

North Carolina Bar Association

Member

2001 - 2009

Action Fund, Planned Parenthood of Central NC

Board Member

2000 - 2006

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys

President

1999 - 1999

Access to Justice Campaign for the NC Legal Assistance Program

1996 - 1996

North Carolina Human Rights Campaign Gala

Co-chair

1994 - 1996

North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Attorneys

President

1987 - 1992

Women's Forum of North Carolina

Member

1985 - 1988

North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers

Board of Governors

1985 - 1989

State Executive Committee, Democratic Party

Executive Committee

1983 - 1984

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Chair of Government Action Committee

1978 - 1978

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Co-founder

1978 - 1987

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Board of Governors

1978 - 1981

North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys

Chair of the Judicial Nominating Committee

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Sample of Legal Cases

O'Brien v. Tilson

Court found law requiring child born of married parents to have father's surname an unconstitutional infringement on right to privacy and individual expression

Jones v. McDowell

Court found NC law which required child to have father's surname if legitimated to be unconstitutional

Pulliam v Smith

Heterodoxus v. Town of Chapel Hill,

Won

Godley v. Town of Carrboro and Town of Chapel Hill

Starr v. Erez

Obtained first NC trial court recognition of out-of-state second parent adoption based on principles of full faith & credit.

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Speaking Engagements

2015

New Frontiers: Emerging Issues in Estate Planning

Estate Planning and Assisted Reproductive Technology

2009

Sex, Family and the Constitution,

Emerging Legal Theories Regarding Parenthood

2009

Festival of Learning Annual Conferences

Parenthood in Today’s World: A Look at Existing and Emerging Legal Theories

2008

NC Bar Association Foundation Seminar

Same-Sex Estate Issues in North Carolina

2007

Festival of Learning Annual Conferences

Representing Gay and Lesbian Clients - What You Need to Know to Avoid Malpractice

2006

The Fight for Queer Parenting Rights

Securing Parenting Rights in a Rural Red State

2006

Festival of Learning Annual Conferences

Innovative Approaches to Representing Gay and Lesbian Clients

2005

Festival of Learning Annual Conferences

Avoiding Malpractice When Representing Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Clients

2005

Annual Conference

Do Ask, Do Tell: 2005 Update on Legal Issues Involving Gay and Lesbain Clients

2004

NC Bar Association Family Law Section Annual Meeting

Emerging Legal Issues: Non-Traditional Families

2004

Festival of Learning Annual Conferences

Family Law Issues for Lesbian and Gay Clients

2003

New Wrinkles in Medicaid Counseling, NC Bar Association Seminar

Typical Medicaid Problems: Panel Discussion

2003

7th Annual Conference on Race, Class, Gender & Ethnicity

Gay and Lesbian Adoption Issues

2002

Annual Conference of the NC Association of Women Attorneys

Basic Estate Planning for You and Your Clients

2002

Adoption Law in North Carolina, PDN Seminar

Gay and Lesbian Adoption Issues

1999

NC Bar Association Foundation

Issues Relating to Cohabiting, Unmarried Persons (Including Relationship Contracts, Estate Issues), Family Law Intensive Seminar

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Publications

2007

Publication for NC Lawyers Mutual Insurance Company Estate Planning Malpractice Traps for Small to Midsize Firms

2007

Journal of the NC State Bar, Vol 12, #1 Ready or Not, A Gay Client May Be Waiting to See You

1999

NC Bar Association, Family Law Section; Family Forum Vol. 19, No. 4 Pulliam v. Smith: A Tough Case for Today’s Families

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