Swan Employment Law owner and trial attorney Susan Swan is a tenacious and agile advocate for employees who have been treated unfairly in the workplace. Super Lawyers recognizes Susan as one of San Diego’s Top 25 Women Attorneys, and as one of San Diego’s best’ employment attorneys. Susan has conducted twenty jury trials as first and only chair. As lead trial counsel in a sexual harassment case against a restaurant and its manager, she won on every single cause of action. As lead trial counsel in an unpaid wages case, she won the trial. She has also obtained multiple six- and seven-figure settlements.
Education
Susan earned a B.A. in Sociology, with a Concentration in Analysis and Research, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in 1998. In 2005, Susan received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. During law school, she was Co-President of General Assistance Advocacy Project, a legal services clinic for the homeless, and was awarded for Outstanding Performance in Group Advocacy and Systemic Reform by the UC Hastings Civil Justice Clinic.
Legal Experience
Susan started her career as a Labor Litigation Associate at Schwartz, Steinsapir, Dohrmann & Sommers in Los Angeles. She represented grocery store workers, bus drivers, and teachers. She argued before the National Labor Relations Board Office of Appeals in Washington, DC.
Susan then joined the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. As a Deputy District Attorney, she conducted 19 jury trials and over 75 hearings and motions, including motions to suppress evidence and restitution hearings. She received a Trial Leader award in 2009.
In 2009, Susan joined San Diego’s Gruenberg Law, where she represented victims of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and wage theft. At Gruenberg Law, she wrote lawsuits and discovery, took and defended depositions, conducted mediations, negotiated settlements, and tried cases. She also trained and mentored new attorneys.
Susan has also served as Voter Protection attorney for Obama for America, law clerk for United Auto Workers, and AIDS Legal Services intern for the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program.
Bar Admissions
California
United States District Court, Southern District of California
United States District Court, Central District of California
United States District Court, Northern District of California
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Personal
Susan is a sixth-generation California native, and a proud graduate of Encinitas public schools, including San Dieguito High School. She has lived in Wisconsin; Barcelona, Spain; Detroit; and Washington, D.C. She is a recipient of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, for creating and organizing a library of children’s books for Encinitas Head Start. Susan loves to swim in the ocean, in lakes, and in pools. She is a devotee of Iyengar yoga, and a season subscriber to the Old Globe.
