The Howard Law Firm

Sharon Effatt Howard

Sharon Effatt Howard was born in Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. She graduated from high school at age 15; then she graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College at age 18. Sharon worked as a legal secretary for almost a year before attending law school. She was the youngest member of her graduating class at American University Law School and received the “Law Student of The Year” award. The D.C. Area Clinical Program named her “The Most Outstanding Student Litigator” among law students in the Washington, D.C. area.

Sharon initially worked as an associate for an Atlanta firm that represented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center and the King family. In 1981, she accepted a position as Associate General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board. For six years, she investigated and litigated a number of complex labor and employment cases.

Sharon joined her husband’s private practice in 1987 where she litigated numerous personal injury, civil rights and employment cases. Sharon developed extensive experience in litigating complex catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases arising from medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, product liability, premises liability, slip and falls, common carrier negligence and motor vehicle accidents. Sharon is a certified mediator and arbitrator in a variety of civil disputes; she also represents her own clients in labor and employment mediation.

The Howards are committed to young people and giving back to the community. Sharon served as President and an Executive Board member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Georgia Association of Women Lawyers. She was the lead attorney coach for the Tucker High School Mock Trial team for more than 20 years and was recognized as the “Outstanding Attorney Coach” for the entire Decatur region. She organized the Tucker High School Foundation, serving on its Board and as its legal counsel. Sharon continues to volunteer her time for activities to involve and mentor high school, college and law school students. The Howards fund an annual scholarship for deserving minority, West Indian and low-income students at American University Law School. Sharon co-founded Discovery Academy, an academically advanced private school in Lithonia, Georgia and served on its Board for more than 25 years.

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