Overview
She partners closely with leadership and HR teams to understand their goals, anticipate challenges, and chart practical paths forward, both in the boardroom and the courtroom.
Drawing on deep experience across industries and geographies, Susan guides clients through the full spectrum of employment issues — from day-to-day questions to high stakes disputes. She represents companies in mediations, arbitrations, and state and federal trials, including appeals before the Seventh Circuit. Technology companies, especially those in the Chicago area, often rely on her as an extension of their in-house legal team.
Clients turn to Susan for clear, business minded counsel on hiring, terminations, policies, wage and hour matters, family and medical leave, and claims involving harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. She negotiates employment and severance agreements and advises on workforce considerations in mergers and acquisitions. She also helps companies navigate EEOC matters, remote work compliance, background check obligations, and other regulatory requirements.
Known for staying ahead of fast-moving legal developments, Susan helps employers prepare for and adapt to emerging issues such as non-compete restrictions and evolving marijuana laws. Her clients value her straightforward guidance, her ability to break down options and risks, and her instinct for addressing concerns before they become problems.
Above all, clients trust Susan for her honesty, clarity, and unwavering commitment to their success. She listens closely, responds quickly, and provides grounded advice that helps leaders make decisions they can stand behind.
Education & Admissions
University of Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 2002)
University of Michigan (B.A., 1998)
Admissions
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Experience
Representative Experience
- Dismissal of failure to hire discrimination case affirmed by 7th Circuit. *
- Obtained a partial verdict in an FMLA inference case in federal court jury trial. *
- Obtained a completely favorable jury verdict in sexual harassment suit in Cook County. *
- Granting of summary judgment in wrongful demotion suit affirmed by 7th Circuit. *
* Experience occurred prior to joining Dorsey.
Industries & Practices
Higher Education & Academic Research Institutions
Explore This Practice View resources related to this practiceGovernment Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
Explore This Practice View resources related to this practice- Artificial Intelligence
- Government Enforcement & Corporate Investigations
- Higher Education & Academic Research Institutions
- Labor & Employment
- Technology
