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Sharon Ann Wildey is an experienced lawyer, ordained minister, conflict mediator, teacher and writer. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA in Sociology and a Law degree (JD). Later in life she obtained a Masters of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained in the United Church of Christ.
She began her practice of law in South Bend, Indiana, in 1975. During the early years of her practice she found herself on the cutting edge of the “new” feminist issues of the era: equality in divorce, marriage, health care, sports, employment and education. She was an adjunct instructor for Indiana University and taught courses in Business Law and Medical Ethics. She was first among a very few who challenged the legal processes involving abuse of women and children. Sharon was sought after as a speaker and panel member throughout the state of Indiana. She was awarded the Annual Roses Award from Indiana University South Bend for her work with women. She also was honored with a membership by the hip from the Indiana Business and Professional Women’s Organization. During those years Sharon was listed in Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who in American Law.
In 1980 she founded the Women’s Legal Clinic, which served the needs of women and children in 4 locations in Indiana. This was the first legal clinic in Indiana and the first legal service to advertise. Its lawyers earned the respect of many lawyers and judges throughout the state while zealously representing the needs of women in the area of divorce and abuse.
In 1985 Sharon joined a law firm in Chicago, which specialized in complex litigation and space law. She practiced in Chicago for another 15 years and also served as a conflict mediator for Cook County Circuit Court. In Chicago she earned the “trial qualified” distinction by the United States District Court of Northern Illinois. When she retired from the practice of law she was ordained in the United Church of Christ and practiced interim ministry for many years. During her years in ministry she exercised a specialty in congregations and seminaries who were in transition or who had suffered traumatic events. This work took her into many states from the east coast to the western states.
Sharon relocated to Costa Rica where she is building her writing career following the path of her beloved Aunt Hellen Wildey Ochs. “Ann” as she is known in Costa Rica has several books of poetry, a travel/political/life blog called vagabondgringa@blogspot.com. She also maintains a web site for abandoned parents at http://www.abandonedparents.net and a blog which she monitors at abandonedparentsnetwork@yahoogroups.com. Her poetry is available on http://www.sharonwildeypoetry.com
Currently she is completing 2 books: “Advices to Young Ladies, a Sequel” and “Abandoned Parents: The Devil’s Dilemma”. Both of these books will be out later this year. Sharon is also completing her autobiography and parts of it will be available on this website before the end of the year.
Sharon continues to mentor many young women and men from different professions and countries following the path that she started as a law professional and continued as a pastoral counselor.
Sharon has served on many boards and professional organizations including: Aging and Community Services of South Central Indiana, President; Developmental Services Industries of Central Indiana; The Rural Medical Services Board; Women’s Club of Costa Rica, Vice President and ARCR of Costa Rica. Currently she is the country representative for American Citizens Abroad (ACA) located in Geneva, Switzerland and Washington DC. While in college and law school, she served on the INPIRG board, elected in a campus wide election and on the Law School Dean’s Administrative Committee (elected by the student body for 3 years).
Sharon is the mother of five children: Timothy E. Wildey, Amanda J. Wildey, Heather A. Mikesell, Brooke E. Mikesell, and Meredith M. Mikesell. She has 3 grandchildren: Amir Karimpour, David Dzurec and Emily Dzurec.
She began her practice of law in South Bend, Indiana, in 1975. During the early years of her practice she found herself on the cutting edge of the “new” feminist issues of the era: equality in divorce, marriage, health care, sports, employment and education. She was an adjunct instructor for Indiana University and taught courses in Business Law and Medical Ethics. She was first among a very few who challenged the legal processes involving abuse of women and children. Sharon was sought after as a speaker and panel member throughout the state of Indiana. She was awarded the Annual Roses Award from Indiana University South Bend for her work with women. She also was honored with a membership by the hip from the Indiana Business and Professional Women’s Organization. During those years Sharon was listed in Who’s Who in American Women, Who’s Who in American Law.
In 1980 she founded the Women’s Legal Clinic, which served the needs of women and children in 4 locations in Indiana. This was the first legal clinic in Indiana and the first legal service to advertise. Its lawyers earned the respect of many lawyers and judges throughout the state while zealously representing the needs of women in the area of divorce and abuse.
In 1985 Sharon joined a law firm in Chicago, which specialized in complex litigation and space law. She practiced in Chicago for another 15 years and also served as a conflict mediator for Cook County Circuit Court. In Chicago she earned the “trial qualified” distinction by the United States District Court of Northern Illinois. When she retired from the practice of law she was ordained in the United Church of Christ and practiced interim ministry for many years. During her years in ministry she exercised a specialty in congregations and seminaries who were in transition or who had suffered traumatic events. This work took her into many states from the east coast to the western states.
Sharon relocated to Costa Rica where she is building her writing career following the path of her beloved Aunt Hellen Wildey Ochs. “Ann” as she is known in Costa Rica has several books of poetry, a travel/political/life blog called vagabondgringa@blogspot.com. She also maintains a web site for abandoned parents at http://www.abandonedparents.net and a blog which she monitors at abandonedparentsnetwork@yahoogroups.com. Her poetry is available on http://www.sharonwildeypoetry.com
Currently she is completing 2 books: “Advices to Young Ladies, a Sequel” and “Abandoned Parents: The Devil’s Dilemma”. Both of these books will be out later this year. Sharon is also completing her autobiography and parts of it will be available on this website before the end of the year.
Sharon continues to mentor many young women and men from different professions and countries following the path that she started as a law professional and continued as a pastoral counselor.
Sharon has served on many boards and professional organizations including: Aging and Community Services of South Central Indiana, President; Developmental Services Industries of Central Indiana; The Rural Medical Services Board; Women’s Club of Costa Rica, Vice President and ARCR of Costa Rica. Currently she is the country representative for American Citizens Abroad (ACA) located in Geneva, Switzerland and Washington DC. While in college and law school, she served on the INPIRG board, elected in a campus wide election and on the Law School Dean’s Administrative Committee (elected by the student body for 3 years).
Sharon is the mother of five children: Timothy E. Wildey, Amanda J. Wildey, Heather A. Mikesell, Brooke E. Mikesell, and Meredith M. Mikesell. She has 3 grandchildren: Amir Karimpour, David Dzurec and Emily Dzurec.
