Susan has been practicing family law for 16 years and has extensive experience in complex divorce matters, as well as child custody and support matters. Before joining Levin Hoover, Susan worked for law firms in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Prior to attaining her law degree, Susan was a trained paralegal and worked in the PA House of Representatives for 13 years. Although Susan had a love for both psychology and the law, with the foundation of her paralegal training, she chose to pursue a law degree after completing her undergrad degree while working for the legislature.
As a people person with an interest in psychology, family law became a natural fit and Susan made that her focus practice area. Over the course of her practice, in addition to sharpening her litigation skills, Susan has become a trained collaborative attorney and a trained mediator to represent those clients interested in a less adversarial approach to resolving differences and finding solutions.
Susan practices Collaborative Law, an alternative dispute resolution process which allows clients to resolve their divorce-related issues by privately negotiating mutually acceptable settlements. However, Susan has extensive litigation experience when a family law matter may not be suitable for alternative dispute resolution.
Susan believes the law is a great tool that can be applied even when situations are emotional. She enjoys bringing comfort and resolution to her clients who are facing tough situations, especially when it initially looks like a problem cannot be solved. While she believes strongly in the collaborative, less adversarial, approach to applying the law, when a case does not fit the collaborative process, Susan is a zealous advocate in court to get the best result for her clients.
- Best Lawyers in America, 2020
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, 2010 – 2020
- Harrisburg Magazine’s Local Legal Leaders – Family Law, 2015-2016
- Susquehanna Style’s Select Lawyers – Family, Custody and Divorce Law, 2015-2016
- Certificate of Appreciation from Cumberland County Bar Association and Foundation’s Pro Bono Program, 2014
- Widener University School of Law, J.D., 2004
- Penn State University, B.H. 2000
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Family Law Section, Council Member
- Collaborative Law Committee, Member
- Dauphin County Bar Association
- Family Law Section, Member
- Chair of Family Law Section, 2016
- Cumberland County Bar Association
- Family Law Section, Member
- Dauphin County Lipsitt Inn of Courts
- Membership Chair
- Collaborative Professionals of Central Pennsylvania
- Co-President 2020 & 2021
- Treasurer 2016 & 2017
- The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- Hearing Committee Member 2006-2009
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2004