Sharon L. Schneier

Partner

Partner-in-Charge, New York

Co-chair, Media Law Practice

T 212.603.6448 New York
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Sharon Schneier serves as partner-in-charge of the firm's New York office, and co-chairs the firmwide media practice. Sharon was a member of the firm's Executive Committee, and chaired the committee from 2010-2016. Sharon has been repeatedly recognized as a New York Super Lawyer.

Sharon represents financial institutions, media companies, and entertainment businesses in high-stakes commercial, media, and intellectual property litigation. She has led major class action litigations for media and publishing clients and is known for developing practical, business-focused litigation strategies that advance her clients' commercial and policy objectives.

In addition, Sharon advises financial institutions on complex extraterritorial enforcement matters and responses to subpoenas. She has handled significant litigations involving assets "blocked" under regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control relating to state sponsors of terrorism.

Sharon served on the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Joshua Heschel School and on the Board of Directors of the Legal Action Center.

Practice Highlights

Leyse, et al. v. Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC

Obtained dismissal of class action claims which sought statutory penalties under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, 47 U.S.C. § 227 based on plaintiff's failure to establish the class was ascertainable under Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Dismissal was affirmed by United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Civil litigation

Obtained decision from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit vacating n injunction that required Citibank, N.A. to free more than $151 million in accounts held at its Gabon subsidiary providing critical clarity on the limits of U.S. court jurisdiction over foreign branch banking assets. See Savannah Midstream v. Citibank, No. 23-1295

Civil litigation

Financial institution found to be "neutral stakeholder" and dismissed from complex litigation involving approximately $2 million in security entitlement held in client's omnibus account and claimed to be property of Central Bank of Iran. In post judgment execution proceedings brought by judgment creditors of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the assets were held subject to turnover pursuant to Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, 22 U. S. C. §8772.

Admitted to Practice

  • New York, 1986
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

Education

  • J.D., Brooklyn Law School, 1984, cum laude
    • Comments Editor, Journal of International Law
  • B.A., State University of New York at Albany, 1980, magna cum laude

Memberships & Affiliations

    • Executive Committee, Davis Wright Tremaine, 2011-2016, 2024-2026
    • Board of Trustees; Executive Committee – Abraham Joshua Heschel School, 2013-2022
    • Board Member, Fund for Modern Courts, 2007-2025
    • Judiciary Committee, 2008-2012; Federal Court Committee, 1996-1999 – New York City Bar Association

Professional Recognition

    • Named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" by Best Lawyers in Media Law, 2024-present
    • Selected to "New York Super Lawyers" in Business Litigation, Thomson Reuters, 2006-2007, 2010-2011, 2013-2024
    • Named as one of "500 Leading Global Entertainment, Sports & Media Lawyers" by Lawdragon, 2025

Background

    • Law Clerk, Hon. Alan N. Bloch, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
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