Profile

Education

  • Santa Clara University School of Law, JD 2013
  • University of Southern California, BA, 2009

Susan is Special Counsel in the San Francisco office and concentrates her practice on litigation matters. Susan defends high profile individuals and entities in disputes in both state and federal courts, and has experience leading both bench and jury trials, as well as AAA, JAMS and FINRA arbitrations. She also counsels attorneys on their respective ethics obligations, and has given several national presentations on legal ethics, inter-generational mentorship, and Diversity Equity and Inclusion.

Susan is actively involved in the Kennedys Global Diversity & Inclusion Committee and US Women’s Initiative, and, outside the firm, serves as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the City of Palm Springs.

Prior to joining Kennedys, Susan practiced family law, trusts and estates litigation, and commercial litigation with firms both in the San Francisco and San Diego regions of California.

Qualifications and admissions

  • California
  • US District Court, Northern, Eastern, Southern, and Central Districts of California
  • US District Court, Colorado

Presentations and publications

  • Co-author, “De Bene Esse Depositions: A Trial Testimony Insurance Policy,” published for Kennedys (May 2023)
  • Co-author, “Coverage issues raised by cryptocurrency,” published for Kennedys (May 2022)
  • “Closing the Gap: How Generational Differences Affect Risk Management” panelist for the Legal Malpractice Risk Management Conference (March 2022)
  • Co-author, “Discovery Considerations Presented by Group Collaboration Tools” published for the American Bar Association (December 2021)
  • Author, “Arbitration Clause in Your Agreement? Use it or Lose it!” published for the American Bar Association (December 2021)
  • Author, “Courtroom Rules Can’t Trump Constitutional Rights” published for the American Bar Association (August 2021)
  • “California Fair Claims Act Compliance Training” In-House Client Training (July 2021)
  • Moderator, Kennedys Global Diversity and Inclusion Pride Month Panel featuring Finlay Gaines (June 2021)
  • Author, “Failure to Include Affirmative Defenses Guts Damages Award” published for the American Bar Association (June 2021)
  • “Diversity and Inclusion and ABA Model Rule 8.4” presented for the Women’s Defense Council of Northern California (November, 2020)
  • Author, “Cannabis Contracts: Caveat Emptor? Illegality presents lost profits award for cannabis company” published for the American Bar Association (September 2020)
  • Author, “Fee Arrangement Ethics Violation Voids $4M Attorney Fee” published for the American Bar Association (September 2020)
  • “Ethics Issues Impacting LGBTQ+ Attorneys, Clients, and the Court” presented for LexisNexis (July 2020)
  • “The Legal and Ethical Considerations Raised in the Diversity and Inclusion Movement” presented for Hinshaw & Culbertson Pride Month CLE (June 2020)
  • Author, “Overbilling Leads to Disbarment: Lack of Contrition tips the scales against an overzealous invoicer” published for the American Bar Association (June 2020)
  • Author, “Self-Serving Retainer Agreement Leads to Attorney Withdrawal” published for the American Bar Association (January 2020)
  • “Text Messaging and the Attorney-Client Relationship - Navigating 21st Century SMS Communications” presented for LexisNexis (May 2019)