Susan combines the focus and creativity of an entrepreneur with the pragmatism and technical experience of an employment and business lawyer. Over her almost 20-year career of representing local, national and international businesses, in addition to starting and growing her own business, Susan has earned a real-world, inside-out understanding of how the right legal counsel solves problems, removes barriers and protects a business’ interests so companies can get back to doing what they do best – running their business. Whether it’s taking a strategic view of an overall business plan, as she did when she served as temporary general counsel for a global business client, or focusing on the myriad small details involved in purchasing a multi-million dollar business or commercial development project, Susan approaches the task with creative, out-of-the box thinking that is grounded in years of dedication and focusing on supporting businesses.
Susan is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, considered the Gold Standard of Attorney ratings, this distinction is based on actual peer reviews and is held by only approximately 10 percent of attorneys nationwide. She is also the recipient of numerous awards, including Chicago’s Notable Women Lawyers 2018 by Crain’s Custom Media. She has also been voted as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service by American Institute of Legal Counsel since 2016 and awarded 2018 Top 10 Employment & Labor Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Jurist Institute.
Susan keeps up on the current trends in the ever-changing business marketplace by acting as a mentor at 1871, Chicago’s renowned incubator for entrepreneurship and technology, and MHub, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing innovation center focused on physical product development and manufacturing. She is also a frequently sought-after speaker, including presentations to various bar associations, SHRM and the Illinois Manufacturing Association.
Who do we serve?
Susan and her team provide legal counsel to the closely held business owner, family run companies, and entrepreneurs regarding all aspects of their business. Together with her team they provide legal advice regarding business law, employment law, commercial real estate, intellectual property and business immigration.
Susan’s clients vary from emerging entities just getting established to large organizations with complex needs. Typically clients come to Susan when they are either emerging from the “start-up” phase to “version 2.0” of their business and have outgrown their current attorney or they are simply looking for a firm that is more adapt at today’s faster-paced business environment – one that is agile, adaptable and able to provide work on a flat fee or scoped basis so that there are no “surprise” invoices.
Whether you are just starting out or you are a sophisticated business owner that is focusing on your succession planning so you can transition into retirement, my team uses plain language in our contracts and our communications (so you don’t need a law degree just to talk to us).
This attorney bio constitutes attorney advertising. The material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.