Amy Sorenson is a nationally recognized civil litigator with over two decades of experience in the federal and state courts of Utah, Nevada, and California. With a collaborative approach and an energizing presence, Amy has led high profile matters ranging from complex business litigation to federal Constitutional and statutory “bet-the-company” challenges and beyond. A trusted advisor to business both in and out of the courtroom, Amy also has led and resolved difficult internal investigations matters. Her industry-specific knowledge includes financial services, higher education, and sports and technology.
Driven by a strong sense of duty and service, Amy has never shied away from a challenge she believes in. Amy’s leadership includes serving on the firm’s Expanded Executive Committee, acting as Co-Chair of the Financial Services Litigation Practice Group, and founding and leading the Snell & Wilmer Women’s Initiative, which aims to support the career development of Snell & Wilmer’s women attorneys. For her community, Amy is proud to have served as Co-Chair of the Utah State Bar Access to Justice Commission since 2018 and to have led the most recent Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Financial Services
Regularly represents lenders and loan servicers in regional mortgage foreclosure and consumer financial litigation cases and defense programs addressing pattern litigation
Defended institutional trustee in breach of trust, failure to diversify probate assets claims
Represented fintech company in putative class claims concerning appraisal management fees in loan origination
Represented financial institution in federal False Claims Act lawsuit and on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Defended national servicer in multi-district litigation concerning mortgage and deed of trust assignments and foreclosure rights
Represented financial institution secured creditor on multifamily properties in federal SEC receivership concerning Ponzi scheme allegations
Business Litigation
Regularly represents global technology company in litigation concerning Constitutional challenges to state statutes
Regularly represents university in litigation matters and on appeal concerning state and federal governmental immunity, sovereign immunity and related Constitutional issues
Represented interstate luxury rail service provider in declaratory judgment action concerning preemption of local permitting processes under federal law
Represented multifamily property management company in federal lawsuit involving Lanham Act, unfair competition, intentional interference, and breach of fiduciary duty claims
Represented global media company in litigation concerning software implementation and breach of contract, fraud, concealment claims and counterclaims under California law
Represented commercial property owner and manager in appeal of personal injury punitive damages judgment in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals on federal due process grounds
Represented global technology company in federal court involving breach of contract and copyright infringement claims concerning open source code
University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (J.D.)
California Public Employee Relations Journal, Berkeley, California
Recipient, American Jurisprudence Award, White Collar Crime
Recipient, Dragonette Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Civil Litigation Trial Practice
Recipient, Prosser Prize, Civil Trial Practice
Yale University (B.A., English, cum laude, with distinction)
University of Utah S. J. Quinney College of Law, Adjunct Professor (2021-2022)
Network of Trial Law Firms, Executive Committee (2018-Present)
President (2021-2022)
Chair, Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel, United States District Court, District of Utah, Northern Region (2018-2020)
Co-Chair, Utah State Bar Convention (2017)
International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) (2017-Present)
Litigation Counsel of America, Senior Fellow (2009-Present)
Salt Lake County Bar Association, President (2014-2015)
Federal Bar Association, Utah Chapter, President (2010)
Women Lawyers of Utah
“Sustainability, Risk & Opportunity: Impacts of ESG in Banking,” Moderator, Snell & Wilmer Virtual CLE (December 14, 2023)
“Internal Investigations and Regulatory Scrutiny – Navigating the Minefield,” Panel Moderator, Snell & Wilmer Corporate Counsel Forum (September 30, 2023)
“Thoughtful Planning of Remote Proceedings and Services,” Panelist, Court Technology Conference, Phoenix, Arizona (September 12, 2023)
“Soundbites: Short Class Action Lessons Over Lunch,” Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Virtual CLE (July 12, 2023)
"The Federal False Claims Act: Civil War Statute, Present Day Penalties," Presenter, Snell & Wilmer Virtual CLE Series (June 8, 2021)
"In-House Counsel Pro Bono Programs: Overcoming Practical Issues and Addressing Ethical Concerns," Presenter, Network of Trial Law Firms CLE, New York, NY (August 2018)
"The Second Labor of Hercules - Battling Government Investigations," Panel Moderator, Network of Trial Law Firms CLE, Laguna Beach, CA (April 2018)
"Law Firm Management: Attracting and Retaining the Right Talent," Panel Speaker, Women Lawyers of Utah, Advancement Pledge Series (February 2018)
“After the Worst Happens: The Punitive Damages Award on Appeal”, Speaker, Network of Trial Law Firms Litigation Management Supercourse, Kiawah Island, SC (October 2016)
"Punitives Slashed in Wyoming Carbon Monoxide Case: In a win for tort reformers, an appellate court embraces a 1-1 ratio of punitive compensatory damages," Featured, The American Lawyer (May 2016)
“How Do Law Firms Retain Women, and Why It Matters,” Panel Speaker, Utah State Bar 2016 Spring Convention, St. George, UT (March 11, 2016)
"Arbitration Agreements and Practice from a Litigator's Perspective," Panel Moderator, Snell & Wilmer Corporate Counsel Forum (March 24, 2015)
Trial Academy (Faculty), Utah State Bar Fall Forum (November 21, 2014)
The Best Lawyers in America®
Commercial Litigation (2014-2016, 2018-2024)
Bet-the-Company Litigation (2024)
Banking and Finance Litigation (2024)
Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business®, Litigation: General Commercial (2017-2023)