Susan Raffanello tries cases in state and federal courts, and before arbitrators throughout Florida. She gains accolades as one of the best litigators in Florida for her skillful handling of high-pressure situations, tough litigation and her broad experience in difficult venues. She is recommended as an absolutely top-shelf and enormously talented counselor. Susan wins praise from clients and corporate general counsel for her guidance and representation in complex litigation with developers, financial institutions, insurers, government agencies, architects, engineers, contractors, condo and homeowner associations, brokers and buyers.
“She’s terrific with clients and managing large matters. Susan has mastery of the litigation process and possesses the unique ability to provide insights about the nuanced dynamics of the courtroom to the decision makers in a boardroom.” Olga de los Santos, General Counsel, Fortune International Equity.
“She’s hands-down among the best litigators I’ve ever seen in action. She is forceful, has broad and detailed vision, and enters the fray thoroughly prepared. Her assuring demeanor, accompanied by excellent technical skills and seasoned judgment, are among her many strengths.” Gil Dezer, President, Dezer Development.
Susan chairs the Firm’s Executive Committee.
Representative Experiences
Though all cases vary and none is predictive, Susan’s experience includes:
- Won a landmark architectural copyright claim on summary judgment in federal court against a plaintiff represented by an elite multi-national law firm establishing the distinction for infringement of architectural v. pictorial, graphic and sculptural works.
- Lead counsel on behalf of major developer, successfully defending RICO and fraud claims brought by investors.
- Lead counsel on behalf of major developers in terminating condominiums, and litigating issues regarding propriety of same through partition action or challenge to statutory process.
- Lead counsel on behalf of various South Florida developers, successfully defending against alleged breaches of preconstruction residential and commercial condominium purchase and sale agreements.
- Lead counsel on behalf of major developers to resolve Association claims of construction defects during turnover process.
- Lead counsel on behalf of mall landlord concerning franchise tenant abandonment of space and alleged breaches of commercial lease.
Professional and Community Involvement
- Village of Islamorada, Local Planning Agency
- President & Diamond Sponsor Voices for Florida Keys Children, Inc.
- Silver Hammer Sponsor of Upper Keys Habitat for Humanity
- Typhoon Sponsor of Good Health Clinic
- Founder’s Society – Baptist Health Foundation
- Shareholder – Upper Keys Foundation
Articles and Presentations
- Speaker, Intellectual Property Roundtable 2006
- Various presentations to Developers regarding condominium purchaser lawsuits & potential construction defect claims
- Speaker, Association of Corporate Counsel South Florida Chapter’s Fourth Annual CLE Conference (2013), “Stop the Email Madness; Or At Least Minimize Its Harm.” The presentation discussed the dangers in the failure to have and adhere to email protocols within the workplace, the implications that email has on the statute of frauds, and what every company must know about the electronic discovery rules.
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, magna cum laude, 1998
- Michigan Law Review, Associate Editor
- Order of Coif
- Harvard University, A.B., cum laude, 1995
Admitted to Practice
- Florida Bar Association
- Arizona Bar Association (Inactive)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court for the District of Arizona
Clerkships
Judicial Clerk, Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha, Retired Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Practice Focus
- Real Estate Litigation
- Development Litigation
- Condominium and Homeowner Association Disputes
- Condominium Terminations
- Commercial Insurance Litigation
- Complex Business and Partnership Litigation