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Her professional development has followed a path il- lustrative of her ability to apply an ever-broadening and multifarious skill set. A er spending time with Sorensen, it is no surprise that her home o ce is lled with sketch- books, watercolors and a portfolio of projects. She smiles as she ips through them, talking about the techniques she learned along the way.
She de ly displays that capability as she studies situ- ations and people from virtually every aspect. is en- hances her capacity to connect profoundly with both her clients and participants in mediations.
“ e rst step is getting the person through the emo- tional quagmire inherent in being a party to a suit,” she explains. “It’s human nature to experience strong feelings of being ‘wronged’ and thinking no one understands or is really listening. ose feelings must be addressed before you can move forward. You can’t do that without real em- pathy, coupled with a strong understanding of the case.”
“You have to be able to both hear and respond to their points -- not argumentatively, but in a way that shows them you understand their position and that you’ve stud- ied all the facts,” she continues. “And only then will they be open enough to hear the weaknesses of their positions, or how a jury might react to a certain piece of testimony. ere are no shortcuts, you have to truly be all-in.”
Sorensen’s approach is further enhanced with an inher- ent talent for deciphering complex, even convoluted cir- cumstances, then, driving her case home with a fearlessly dynamic courtroom presence.
signi cantly changed by large quantities of money.” Sorensen con ded that before she pursued law school, she seriously con- templated becoming a psychologist. “Mediation is a little bit like that,” she says. “Listening and empa- thizing with people, while
connecting their situations to the technical legal aspects and potential challenges in their cases, empowers them to make more informed choices.”
“In a way, it’s a service to their lawyers as well,” says So- rensen. “Any attorney would prefer an acceptable resolu- tion now to a bad verdict eight or nine months down the road especially given all of the costs typically expended in the ramp-up to trial. And of course, no lawyer wants an unhappy client. I’ve found that once I’ve listened empa- thetically to what parties have to say, they are much more receptive to what I have to say. It builds trust and shows a level of individual investment that can sometimes get overlooked in the process.”
FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS
As with anything, in- stincts and natural talent can only go so far. ere is no substitute for hard work and dedication. For Sorensen, this translates into preparation and lots of it.
“I want to fully digest
the materials being con-
sidered. I’ve been in the
legal eld for more than three decades, but I refuse to ap- proach anything with the attitude of ‘Oh, I’ve seen this be- fore,’ because there is so much variety in people’s lives and experiences. at translates to di erences in how to best conduct the mediation. How can I earnestly relate to the clients and ask truly pertinent questions unless I know all there is to know?”
Sorensen has dived into mediation practice with deep sense of energy and enthusiasm. “ e best mediations are works of both art and science.” She added, “there is a pre- cise way to approach each case. And when you nd that approach, the rewards clearly re ect the e orts and com- mitment made.”
WENDI SORENSEN
[email protected] 602.234.9910
BURCH & CRACCHIOLO
702 E. Osborn Road, Suite 200 Phoenix,AZ85014 602.274.7611 www.bcattorneys.com
In her 30-plus year legal career, Sorensen has collected accomplishments and accolades, many of which were es- pecially meaningful to her because they are determined by her peers. In addition to being included among the Best Lawyers in America, 2017-2019 and Most In uen- tial Women in Business in Arizona, Arizona Business Magazine 2015, Sorensen also enjoys the distinction of inclusion in the Top 25 Women Attorneys in Arizona, Southwest Super Lawyers, Arizona’s Finest Lawyers and Arizona Business Magazine Top Lawyers.
Aside from publicly acknowledging her hard-won sta- tus within the legal community, these honors also served as an impetus for Sorensen to delve into another area of the law that she has always found intriguing. “I’ve always been very interested in the mechanics of mediation and found the mediators themselves -- and the processes they employ -- fascinating,” Sorensen says. “As I started receiv- ing these accolades, I saw them as an indication of the
community’s view of my skills and experience, and in turn an indication that I may be viewed as su - ciently experienced to be- come a mediator myself.”
“I quickly realized how truly ful lling the work is,” she adds. “I get to talk to people, get to really know and understand them and see how their lives could be
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