“I want[] . . . to express my deep gratitude to you and your entire team for the exceptional support and guidance I received throughout this challenging time. Your collective professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication undoubtedly made a significant difference in the outcome of my settlement. I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone involved, especially Ting and Ashley, for making sure every detail was taken care of. It’s clear to me that the success I experienced was a result of the combined efforts of all of you. While I hope not to find myself in need of legal assistance again anytime soon, I take solace in knowing that there’s a team like yours that I can rely on. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support has been immeasurable.”

–Former Client and Tech Executive

“I recently had the privilege of working with Ella Zheng from Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, and I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional support and expertise provided throughout my legal journey.

From the very first consultation, Ella exhibited a rare blend of professionalism and empathy, instantly instilling confidence and trust. Facing a daunting legal matter and mediation process, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain. However, Ella stood by me, offering not just legal counsel but unwavering encouragement that helped me navigate through even the toughest moments.

What truly sets Ella apart is her genuine belief in her clients. She didn’t just see me as another case but as a person with rights, dignity, and a story worth fighting for. This belief empowered me to stand strong!
Throughout the mediation proceedings, Ella demonstrated exceptional skill and mastery of the law. She meticulously prepared for every step, ensuring that I was well-informed and equipped to make informed decisions. Her ability to articulate my case with clarity and conviction was truly impressive and undoubtedly played a pivotal role in achieving a favorable outcome.

But beyond her legal prowess, what truly stood out was Ella’s compassion and dedication to my well-being. She took the time to listen, understand my concerns, and provide not just legal guidance but also emotional support when I needed it most. Thanks to Ella’s tireless efforts and unwavering dedication, my case was brought to a close. I am immensely grateful for Ella’s invaluable support throughout this process.
In conclusion, if you’re seeking legal representation that goes above and beyond, look no further than Ella Zheng and her team. Their commitment to their clients, combined with their exceptional skills and unwavering support, make them the epitome of excellence in the legal profession.

Thank you, Ella, for being a beacon of hope and empowerment during a time of uncertainty. Your impact will never be forgotten.”

–A Female Executive

“The abrupt end of employment can be financially and emotionally disruptive and challenging to most people. Add factors such as age, gender, or an unpredictable job market; stress levels can be high. This uncertainty can exist even if a moderate settlement is on the table.

Suppose you think you’ve been mistreated and believe your severance should be more than just moderate. In that case, hiring someone who is an expert in employment law and an excellent strategist and negotiator is advisable. And, recognizing that some discussions may cause the former employee to feel marginalized and maligned, and resolution is often protracted, an essential quality to seek in such a lawyer is the rare but oh-so-significant human touch.

Most A-list employment law firms/attorneys represent defendant employers; finding a top employment lawyer representing the plaintiff/employee who possesses the requisite gamut of desired qualities and skills can be the proverbial needle in the haystack.

I found that needle! She’s Qiaojing Ella Zheng, Managing Partner of the Palo Alto and San Francisco Offices and Asian American Litigation and Finance Practice Group Chair at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight!”

–A Grateful Silicon Valley Senior Executive Management Client

“As a client of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, I had the opportunity of working with its attorneys at multiple locations: Ms. Ella Zheng . . . (in San Francisco), Ms. Leigh Anne St. Charles and Messrs. Kevin Sharp and Jonathan Tepe (in Nashville), and Mr. Andrew Melzer (in New York). Collectively the SHSM team represented the highest level of professionalism, integrity, and passionate care for justice that I have ever witnessed in my career.

Like many individual plaintiffs, I was faced with a corporate defendant that was much more resourceful. The SHSM team never showed any hesitation in representing me or wavered in their resolution to right the wrong. The attorneys and assistants worked through maternity, coronavirus infection, over-night depositions and many other challenges for nearly three years to ultimately deliver a resounding success!

I am forever indebted to Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight's’s perseverance and kindness. Last three years were such a lifetime experience that I will never forget.”

–David Chen, a Former Client

“I am incredibly grateful for Ms. Ella Zheng and her team at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight. I met Ms. Ella Zheng through friends’ referrals in 2017. My case seemed straightforward, some would even say too good to be true. It mainly involved breach of contract by the American stakeholders in a US – China joint venture. The case was in fact very complex due to various rules in China related to retired executives at that time. Before I met Ella, I tried to retain lawyers in big international firms to represent me on this case, yet they all gave up, for various reasons, after some back-and-forth communication.

No one around me was optimistic about the outcome of the case where I, as a Chinese national, was to litigate against an American company in the United States. However, Ella and her team demonstrated extraordinary authenticity, perseverance, tenacity, professionalism, and expertise. She made relentless efforts in communicating with me, gathering information, and implementing rigorous step-by-step work process among various stakeholders, which led to the successful filing of the case. Her swift action took the defendants by surprise. Defendants had to change their legal team multiple times to handle the matter, yet were still unable to keep up with Ella’s strategies. My case was eventually resolved successfully through mediation, ending with me getting a terrific settlement.

It’s been over three years since my case ended, yet I still become emotional whenever I think of it. Cross-border litigation requires a legal team that not only has an enhanced level of knowledge about the specialized areas of law, but also an acute understanding and grasp of relevant rules and regulations involving foreign jurisdictions. That’s exactly what Ella and her team possess – the ability to strategically position the case, go above and beyond to find the breakthrough, and at the same time provide her clients with ample guidance and analysis, and also instill them with the needed confidence to engage in the process. At last, I want to thank Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight for the legal representation. My best wishes to the firm.”

–Female Executive at a multinational company, a Former Client

“Very responsive and professional elites. I am lucky to get Ella Zheng to represent me. She and her assistant helped me out at their best to resolve the issue with my former Company, who alleged claims against me and thought I didn’t have anyone at hand to help. And I am pretty sure she is the one I will refer to in the future if I met same problems in the future. The cost is there, but they do try their best to fight for your benefit.”

–Michael Lee

“In the course of my case, lawyer Ms. Ella Zheng conducted serious investigation and evidence collection, applied her strong expertise to make the case go to the correct directions. And at the same time, Ms. Zheng answered my questions with great patience and always updated the case progress and possible outcomes timely. She did an excellent job.

I am very satisfied with the final settlement. I appreciate my lawyer Ms. Ella Zheng very much!”

–Female software engineer, A Former Client

“I am so grateful to have had Qiaojing Ella Zheng fight for me. She and her team never once wavered in believing in my case, and helped me not only get a good settlement, but also in sending the long-overdue message to my company that their mistreatment of people of color would no longer be tolerated nor will we stay quiet any longer. Ella’s team clearly demonstrated their expertise in employment discrimination law throughout my case. I felt that they always had my best interests at heart. They were very professional but also very good, patient listeners. And just overall good, genuine people. I used to blame myself for what happened, but now I have clarity and closure about the reality of the situation and can confidently move forward with my life and my future endeavors.”

–Former Client

“Ella and her colleagues at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight helped me with my claims against my former employer. They have been very attentive, patient, and knowledgeable. In the entire process, I always felt I was in good hands with the representation. Every call was well prepared, and they frequently followed up as needed.

Employment laws, especially the racial discrimination and wrongful termination part, can get very complicated, and oftentimes proving the right point doesn’t automatically translate into getting the right outcome, yet fortunately, I was given all the patience and detailed explanation I needed. Ella and everyone else all have been empathetic to what I was going through, with the expertise, diligence, and dedication they put in my case that eventually helped me significantly in a critical time of my life.”

–Startup Executive, A Former Client