Sharon Degnan is a board-certified appellate attorney with extensive experience in all aspects of a general civil litigation practice, focusing on civil appeals, complex civil litigation support, and insurance coverage disputes. She regularly appears before all appellate court in the State of Florida, before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and before numerous Florida trial courts. Sharon has successfully litigated against top practitioners at both the trial and appellate levels resulting in numerous published opinions across a broad spectrum of civil litigation.

Sharon is frequently sought after by clients and colleagues alike for her experience in insurance coverage analysis, including policy interpretation issues at both the trial and appellate levels. She has earned a reputation as an outstanding advocate, known for her ability to tackle the most complex cases, particularly those involving issues of first impression. Sharon is often called upon by the firm’s most experienced trial attorneys, as well as lawyers outside the firm, to provide strategic litigation support to ensure critical issues are properly preserved for appeal and expertly addressed at every stage of the case.

• Appellate Practice and Litigation Support/Consulting
• Automobile and Motorized Vehicles
• Bad Faith and Claims Handling Assistance
• First-Party Property: Personal and Commercial
• Presuit Settlement Assistance

Education

• University of Miami School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1995)
• William Smith College (B.A., cum laude, 1992

• State of Florida 1995
• U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit 1997
• U. S. District Court, Southern District of Florida 2019

• Kubicki Draper Appellate and Coverage Practice Group, Member
• Kubicki Draper Pre-Suit Practice Group, Member
• Florida Bar Association, Appellate Practice Section
• Dade County Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association

• Florida Bar Board Certified – Appellate Practice
• Certified Continuing Education Instructor, State of Florida

• Super Lawyers Magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, Appellate Practice Area (2011 – 2018)
• Recipient, Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA) 2016 Amicus Award

• “An Overview of Punitive Damage Claims in Florida,” Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
• “Preserving the Record on Appeal: Objecting During Litigation,” Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2022
• “Attractive Nuisances, Swimming Pool Liability, and Open and Obvious Conditions,” James River, 2021
• “Workers Compensation Immunity in Florida’s Construction Industry,” KD Webinar, 2021
• “Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update,” CNA Webinar, 2020
• “Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update,” Kubicki Draper Webinar, 2020
• “How to Effectively Use Appellate Counsel at all Stages of a Claim,” Farmers, 2019
• “Florida 5-Hour Law and Ethics Update,” CNA, 2019
• “Medicare Liens and Set Asides,” CNA, 2018
• “Multiple Claimants – Low Limit Solutions,” Bristol West, 2018
• “When Old Claims Rise from the Dead,” Frontline, 2018
• “Post Trial Issues: Post Verdict Motion from an Appellate Perspective,” GEICO, 2017
• “Punitive Damages,” CNA, 2017
• “Case Law Update and Comparative Negligence,” Bristol West, 2017
• “We’ve Got You Covered! Hot Topics in Florida Insurance Coverage Law,” Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2012
• “First Party Bad Faith, Ethics for the Insurance Claims Professionals, Insurance Coverage,” First Protective, 2012
• “Claims Handling Mediation Strategy Issues,” Front Protective, 2011
• “Coverage/Setting Aside Defaults,” Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2010
• “Auto Causation – Accident Reconstruction and Biomechanical Analysis,” Kubicki Draper Claims Management Conference, 2008

• “A Game Changer”: Recent Rule Change Allows for Immediate Appellate Review of Orders Permitting or Denying Punitive Damages, Kubicki Draper, Quarterly, 2022
• “Florida Legislature Passes New Law Creating Right of Contribution Among Liability Insurers for Defense Costs,” KD Fall/Winter Quarterly, 2020
• “The Appeal of Appellate Mediation: Making the Case for an Attractive Dispute Resolution Tool“, 83 Fla. B. J. 32, March 2009
• “Admitting Trial Exhibits,” co-authored with Harold Saul, The Defense Speaks, Ch. 68, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, 2006