Recognized as a leading trial lawyer with over 30 years of experience as both a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney, Susan represents individuals and companies in white collar criminal matters, complex civil litigation, regulatory matters and internal company investigations.
Prior to joining Harris Trzaskoma, Susan served as Senior Counsel to the District Attorney and Chief of the Investigation Division at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, supervising major white collar crime investigations and leading trial teams in some of the Office’s most high-profile white collar cases. Legal commentators called her cross examination of a major witness in a recent trial “masterful” saying it “should be taught in law school.”
Over the course of her career, Susan has represented individuals and businesses in federal and state investigations and prosecutions conducted by government agencies including DOJ, SDNY, EDNY, DOI, SEC, New York Attorney General’s Office and New York District Attorneys’ Offices. Susan is experienced in defending against a wide range of complex criminal charges, including antitrust violations, bribery and anti-kickback, tax fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud, money laundering, larceny, embezzlement, scheme to defraud, falsifying business records, conspiracy, perjury, forgery, asset forfeiture, assault, sexual assault/abuse, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. A zealous advocate for her clients, Susan on many occasions persuaded prosecutors not to pursue charges against her clients under investigation. Susan has also skillfully represented individuals and companies litigating a variety of commercial disputes, including partnership and employment matters. She is also highly experienced in representing college/university students and others accused of, as well as those who are victims of, sexual misconduct.
Susan has been honored as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an exclusive invitation only association of top trial lawyers from the U.S. and Canada who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills, ethical conduct, professionalism and collegiality. She was also selected in 2022 by the American Lawyer as one of the “Litigators of the Week.” Susan has for many years been recognized by Super Lawyers for excellence in Criminal Defense White Collar, and in 2018, was selected by Super Lawyers as one of New York’s Top 50 Women Lawyers and featured on the cover of Super Lawyers Magazine in an article entitled “The Winning Ticket.”
REPRESENTATIVE CRIMINAL MATTERS
- As co-lead trial counsel in People v. Donald J. Trump, in New York County Supreme Court, won conviction for 34 felony counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.
- As co-lead trial counsel in People v. Allan Weisselberg, The Trump Corporation and Trump Payroll Corporation, in New York County Supreme Court, won conviction of corporate defendants for a total of 17 felony counts and guilty plea by defendant Weisselberg to 15 felony counts, related to criminal tax fraud.
- As lead trial counsel, won acquittal for construction supervisor charged by New York County DA’s Office with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in deaths of firemen at the Deutsche Bank building
- As lead trial counsel, won acquittal for artist charged by Kings County DA’s Office with domestic assault
- Represented doctor charged by US Attorney’s Office SDNY with violating anti-kickback statute in connection with prescribing fentanyl-based medication; out of 4 co-defendants, obtained only disposition resulting in non-jail sentence
- Represented executive in DOJ antitrust and SEC investigations of bid rigging in municipal bond industry; obtained disposition resulting in non-jail sentence
- Negotiated successful resolution for construction company charged by New York County DA’s Office with bid rigging and commercial bribery conspiracy; oversaw enhanced corporate compliance program
- Negotiated successful resolution for media company charged by New York County DA’s Office with money laundering, scheme to defraud, and falsifying business records in connection with multimillion-dollar loans
- Successfully represented individuals investigated by New York County DA’s Office for alleged sexual misconduct, with no criminal charges brought
- Represented attorney charged by US Attorney’s Office SDNY in a multi-billion-dollar KPMG tax shelter prosecution
- Represented executive charged by US Attorney’s Office SDNY with securities fraud in connection with private placement offering
- Represented assistant to Imelda Marcos charged by New York County DA’s Office with conspiracy to commit grand larceny, possession of stolen property and tax fraud in connection with the sale of masterpiece artwork
REPRESENTATIVE CIVIL MATTERS
- Represented law firm partners suing former partner for fraud and breach of contract, resulting in significant judgment for clients at arbitration
- Represented executive suing employer for breach of contract, resulting in significant judgment for client at mediation
- Successfully defended company in litigation, winning dismissal of underwriter’s claims for conversion and negligence
- Successfully represented executives in employment matters
- Successfully represented college/university students accused of sexual misconduct under Title IX
RECOGNITIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
