Susan Rodgers

MORE THAN JUST A BUSINESS LAW FIRM, WE’RE YOUR PARTNER IN BUSINESS

Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs is Northeast Ohio’s business law firm. We’ve served the Akron, Canton and Cleveland areas for over 100 years; therefore, this region has become our home and the businesses in this region have become our family. We don’t just represent you. We support you and stand by you; we understand your business and become an extension of it; we celebrate with you and cheer for you; we go to great lengths for you, and we listen to you. For all of these reasons we are more than a business law firm. We are your partner in business.We have thrived over the years because of this work ethic. Our long history in the region reflects the depth of experience our attorneys possess, not only in the practice of law, but in the industries you live and breathe every day. We know that we have to understand your business in order to protect it, a philosophy established by our founding fathers.The Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs partnership was founded in 1913 between Frank J. Rockwell, a former county prosecutor and future mayor of Akron, and Princeton University Graduate Charles T. Grant. An esteemed labor and employment attorney, Lisle M. Buckingham joined in 1929, and Gillum H. Doolittle, a distinguished trial lawyer, joined in 1934. Finally, Edmund Burroughs, a Harvard Law School graduate and former editor of the Harvard Law Review, joined in 1943.We have continued to add talent and evolve as times change. However, the integrity upon which our firm was built is still reflected in our people and in the services that we provide.Today we are recognized as one of the top business law firms in the region, but we are so much more than that. Find out why Buckingham is the law firm of choice for hundreds of Northeast Ohio businesses.

I am an employment and labor attorney, serving as our Firm’s practice group chair. I serve as a resource for business owners, management teams and human resources directors as I guide them through the day-to-day issues that arise with employment and labor law matters. The matters I handle involve all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment and retaliation; Family and Medical Leave Act compliance; disability accommodation; wage and hour; unfair competition and trade secrets; and traditional labor law, response to union organization campaigns and union negotiations.

I defend my clients before the National Labor Relations Board, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and state federal and courts. I aim to be on the front end for my clients so I can help prevent employment and labor lawsuits. However, when the risk of litigation is present, I instill in my clients the confidence to make difficult choices that will protect them, their staff, and their business.

The greatest gift I give to clients is my ability to see beyond the law and into the realities of their workplace. I know every decision they make can impact one, or all, employees. That’s why I take the time to understand my clients’ business goals and ensure my work aligns with their needs. I am here to help my clients sit well with the decisions they make so they can run a positive, effective and productive work environment.

As other niche areas, I am a Title IX investigator, hearing officer and appellate officer for school districts, colleges and universities.

Education

• The University of Cincinnati College of Law, Cincinnati, Ohio (J.D., 1991)
• The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio (B.A., 1988)

Admissions

• Ohio Bar
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

Awards & Honors

• Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ (2019-2020)
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America® (2011-2022)
• Recognized by Best Lawyers® "Women in Law" Business Edition for Employment & Labor Law (2016)
• Selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® (2011-2012, 2015-2021), as voted by her peers