Susan began practicing nursing in Kitsap County in 1989. She worked at Harrison Medical Center in Kitsap County for 10 years in the Progressive Care Unit and the Intensive Care Unit. She obtained her nursing license in 1989, and began her career as an R.N. Susan obtained her BS in Nursing from the University of Washington in 1994, graduating with honors. She then, while continuing to practice as a nurse, attended law school at Seattle University School of Law graduating in 1999 and then began practicing law specializing in medical negligence cases.

Susan has handled dozens of medical negligence cases from beginning to end and has handled cases that include birth injury, surgical errors, failure to diagnose cancer and undiagnosed heart attacks. Susan is a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association.