Stephanie A. Scharf is founding partner of Scharf Banks Marmor, LLC, a prominent women-owned law firm that represents national and global businesses in litigation. In three decades of representing clients in federal and state  courts, Stephanie has tried and won multiple jury and bench trials have spearheaded the pre-trial, trial and appellate phases of litigation, and has overseen the resolution of multiple commercial disputes and complex tort actions. Stephanie frequently counsels companies on strategies to avoid litigation and mitigate risks at the product or enterprise level.

Stephanie and the Firm has been profiled for the "unique quality of their work" and for "Work at a Very High Level."  The Firm has also been recognized for “delivering great expertise, insight and value” and its “collaborative approach” in supporting its clients. 

A frequent author and CLE speaker, Stephanie created and is the lead editor of PLI's Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategy and Best Practices. She has been named a Leading Lawyer, Best Lawyer, and Super Lawyer, was granted the PLAC President's Award and was selected by Lawdragon Magazine as one of the "500 Leading Litigators in America." She is "AV Preeminent" peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell, reflecting the highest peer recognition for both ethical standards and legal ability.

In addition to her law practice, Stephanie is a Founding Principal with The Red Bee Group, LLC, a consulting firm that helps businesses, organizations and law firms achieve their goals for growth and innovation using data-based strategies with diverse and inclusive solutions.

Stephanie has a Ph.D. in Behavioral Sciences with a focus on social and organizational psychology as well as statistical analysis of large data sets. Before practicing law, she managed large national data-driven initiatives in the areas of health and employment.

Stephanie is one of the nation's leading lawyers for the advancement of women in the profession. She is the 2017-2020 Chair of the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession. She also co-chairs the ABA Presidential Initiative, Achieving Long-Term Careers for Women in the Law; and is a member of the Advisory Board of DirectWomen.  Stephanie is a former President of the National Association of Women Lawyers (2004- 2005). She  was Special Advisor to the  2015-2016 American Bar Association's Presidential Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

Stephanie frequently combines her skills in data analytics to create cutting edge research on issues of diversity and inclusion.  Her most recent report, with co-author Roberta Liebenberg,  is Walking Out the Door: The Fact, Figures and Future of Experienced Women in Private Practice. This the innovative study received national attention for its multidimensional perspectives of women, men and managing partners about the status, impediments, and avenues for change to create greater gender diversity at senior levels.  Stephanie also founded and conducted the NAWL Annual Survey of Women in Law Firms (2006-2014); the National Survey of Women's Initiatives (2012);  and the first-ever survey of women as lead counsel in litigation,  First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table (2015), with co-author Roberta Liebenberg.  Stephanie has designed unique and lasting programs, such as the NAWL General Counsel Institute, the NAWL Supreme Court Committee, and the NAWL Summit for Best Practices for Advancing Women in Law.

Stephanie has received many awards in recognition of her work for advancing women in the law including The Chicago Lawyer/Chicago Daily Law Bulletin Salute! Women in the Law Award (2020); The Women’s Bar Association of Illinois Myra Bradwell Award (2018); the National Association of Women Lawyers Public Service Award (2017); the Chicago Bar Association Alliance for Women Founder’s Award (2015); the National Law Journal Two Steps Forward Award (2014); the National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Member Award (2002). She was named by Crain’s Chicago 2017 as one of the 50 most influential women lawyers in Chicago.