From Fortune 500 companies to Class 1 railroads, small businesses, and non-profits, Susan counsels clients on a wide range of employment matters, including:

• Age, race, national origin, gender, and disability discrimination claims
• Discipline and terminations
• Investigating and responding to harassment and discrimination allegations
• Wage and hour compliance and audits
• I-9 compliance and audits
• Disability accommodations, leaves of absence, and FMLA leave
• State and local paid sick leave and predictive scheduling laws
• Policy review and development

In addition to her practice advising clients, Susan is an experienced litigator, defending employers in state and federal court, as well as before local, state, and federal administrative agencies. Throughout the litigation process, Susan works with her clients to make informed decisions to deliver the best outcomes. Some of Susan’s recent successes on behalf of her employer clients include:

• Successfully defending national corporations in multiple Title VII discrimination trials in the Northern District of Illinois
• Obtaining summary judgment in multiple state court discrimination cases in favor of one of the nation’s largest hospice organizations
• Regularly obtaining dismissal of lawsuits and summary judgment in favor of her employer clients on an array of employment law claims
• Negotiating favorable resolutions in complex wage and hour cases on behalf of global quick service industry franchisees

At Troester Sharpe, Susan manages the firm’s team of employment law associates and senior counsel, providing the firm’s newer attorneys with exceptional leadership, training, and mentorship. Prior to becoming Managing Partner at Troester Sharpe, Susan practiced employment law for fifteen years at mid-size and boutique employment law firms. Before practicing law, Susan spent many gratifying years managing a not-for-profit agency that provides legal and counseling services to domestic violence victims. In her management role, Susan ensured compliance with private and government funder requirements, the myriad of laws and regulations governing business operations and the employment relationship, and oversaw all aspects of fiscal planning, human resources, employee relations, and board development. The years Susan spent managing the operations, financial, and people practices of an organization left her well prepared to provide advice and representation rooted in hands-on experience and a thorough understanding of the practical challenges employers face on a day-to-day basis. Read Less