From developing the initial strategy to defending a case or arguing it on appeal, Susan will tell you she enjoys every part of practicing law – especially the adrenaline rush of arguing a case before an appellate court or trying a case before a jury. Susan frequently litigates issues relating to class action and insurance defense work, employment law, and a variety of environmental matters. Susan has litigated cases involving multi-party catastrophic injury claims, third-party claims, bad faith claims, commercial and contract disputes and employment-related issues, as well as matters of first impression on insurance claims and contracts. She counsels clients in the areas of arson, fire loss and investigation, construction insurance law, and litigation involving the administration of estates and appointment of guardians and conservators.

Susan also knows how important it is to stay current on the issues. She publishes a quarterly insurance defense newsletter highlighting the news in the industry, which is considered a must-read by colleagues and clients alike. It’s this type of extra effort that makes Susan an award-winning attorney. Most recently, she was named the Best Lawyers’ 2018 Morgantown Mediation “Lawyer of the Year.” She’s been included in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2013, has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating, is a West Virginia Super Lawyer®, and was named in the 2017 Best Lawyers® Business Edition “Women in Law,” among others.

She also manages to find time to serve her community. She sits on numerous boards, including WVU Medicine, Berkeley Medical Center/Jefferson Medical Center, and the Berkeley County Chamber of Commerce, continuing a family tradition of serving on the hospital and chamber board. In fact, her family can trace its roots in Berkeley County back to 1781.

Susan has been involved with the Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival since 1979, when she started as a volunteer, and has served on the board since 1982. In addition to her law practice and community work, she is a trained chef, having attended studies for a week at LeCordon Bleu in Canada, and is the organist, pianist, and choir director at her church.