Sonia McDowell handles a variety of civil litigation matters involving insurance and general liability from outset to conclusion in state and federal courts. Her practice includes defense of matters including personal injury, premises liability, product liability, wrongful death, automobile/trucking liability, negligent security, contract disputes, indemnification disputes, nursing home negligence and medical malpractice. 

Sonia assesses claims and determines likely exposure, identifies resolution options and obtains outcomes that adhere to prescribed client guidelines. She knows that clients prefer quick and cost-effective resolutions to complex and potentially protracted liability cases and that “shelf life” is as important as any other substantive issue in handling files. Sonia accelerates turnaround through procedural dismissals, substantive dismissals, successful tenders and negotiated settlements. 

Prior to joining Wilson Elser, Sonia was an associate at the largest minority- and women-owned law firm in the country, a full-service business law firm offering a wide variety of legal services to public and private companies, professionals, entrepreneurs and individuals. 

Sonia has significant experience in handling appeals and financial services litigation. She began her career and gained extensive trial experience as an Assistant State Attorney for the Ninth Judicial Circuit, where she handled the prosecution of felony crimes for three years and worked with specialized task forces focusing on drug trafficking cases involving lengthy minimum mandatory sentences.