Languages

• Hebrew

Lawyer Overview

Professional Experience

Susan was admitted to practice law in Michigan in 1989. As a member of the firm, she focuses her practice in the Family Law Group and is also a member of the Litigation Group. She is the Practice Group Coordinator of the Family Law Group.  Susan has been with the firm since 1989. Her expertise within the litigation area is broad. Susan's cases range from family law and employment law to complex commercial litigation. Susan has extensive experience in all aspects of family and domestic relations law, from pre-filing counseling and negotiation to trying contested divorces.  While we try to avoid contested litigation for our clients, Susan has the experience and ability to proceed to trial when necessary. She practices primarily in state court.

Areas of Emphasis

Family Law

All aspects of divorce (pre- and post-judgment; estates of all sizes), separation, custody, visitation, support, paternity, adoption, guardianships and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.

Commercial Litigation

Litigation matters involving a wide variety of business disputes such as contract disputes, lender liability, adversary proceedings in Bankruptcy Court, dissolution of partnerships and employment matters and other commercial disputes.

Human Service Issues/Litigation

Representing human service agencies in managing patient confidentiality and defending negligence and malpractice claims.

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Litigation

West Practice Categories

Family Law, Litigation & Appeals

Bar Admissions

• Michigan, 1989
• U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan, 1997
• U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, 1989

Professional Associations and Memberships

• State of Michigan Attorney Discipline (Hearing Panelist)
• State Bar of Michigan, Family Law Section (Member)
• State Bar of Michigan, Litigation Section (Member)
• American Bar Association, Family Law Section (Member)
• Oakland County Bar Association (Member)
• Oakland County Bar Association, 1998 - 2002 (Public Advisory Committee on Judicial Candidates)
• Michigan Inter-Professional Association on Marriage, Divorce and the Family, Inc. (Member)
• Yad Ezra (Food Pantry), 1998 - 2002 (Member, Board of Directors)
• Children's Center of Wayne County (Member, Board of Directors)
• Congregation Beth Shalom (Member, Board of Trustees)

Classes and Seminars

• 2004 Child Custody, Support & Parenting Time Update: Recent Legal Developments, The Institute of Continuing Legal Education, April 8, 2004 - 2004
• Work/ Life Balance Symposium, Wayne State University Law School, 2004
• "Animosity Governs Divorce Expense" By, Lara Mossa-Q & A on financial aspects of divorce, Interviewed By: The Oakland Press, April 16, 2002
• "Breaking Up Assets After Divorce Is Hard To Do" By, Lorene Yue, Q & A on financial aspects of divorce, Interviewed By:The Detroit Free Press, The Money Report, November 13, 2000
• Separation of Assets Within a Marriage, Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., 2001
• Friend of the Court, Due Process-Oakland County Bar Association Television Program, WDIV, 2001
• Dispute Resolution in the Employment Context, Children's Center of Wayne County In-Service, 2001
• Legal Issues in Child and Family Agencies: Problems, Approaches, and Legal Standards, Child Welfare League of America, 1997
• Family Planning for Women in Business is More than Deciding When to Have Children, Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C., 1996
• Effective Family Law Practice in Michigan, National Business Institute's Law Review Series, 1996
• Ethics as it Relates to Tax Consequences in Divorce, National Business Institute's Law Review Series, 1995
• Legal Issues Related to Crisis Intervention: A Guide for Human Service Professionals, Children's Center of Wayne County's Annual Spring Conference, 1995
• Confidentiality and Your Client: A Guide for Human Service Professionals, Children's Center of Wayne County In-Service, 1995

Education

• The University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1989
  J.D.
  Honors: cum laude
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 1989
  M.A., Political Science
• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, 1984
  B.A.
  Honors: With Distinction
  Honors: With High Honors
  Major: Political Science
• Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
  Junior Year Abroad Program, 1992-83
• University of Michigan - Hebrew University
  Exchange Fellow, 1984-85

Address

27777 Franklin Road
Suite 2500
Southfield, MI 48034-8214

Phones

248.351.3000

Emails

Contact Us

Websites

http://www.jaffelaw.com