Susan R. Reischl, Attorney

SUMMARY OF PRACTICE

Susan R. Reischl was the first attorney to be elected as a partner in the firm on the strength of her extraordinary research and writing capabilities.  Since beginning her law practice in 1980, Susan has specialized in real estate and business litigation representing hundreds of clients including residential and commercial buyers and sellers, developers, contractors, title companies and other individuals and entities with real estate needs.  She works closely with her fellow partners, who have utilized her talented research and writing skills in successfully winning hundreds of cases. 

Recently, Susan helped two of her partners obtain an over $2 million judgment against a major insurer for its refusal to pay policy benefits, including a $1.5 million punitive damages award.  She then successfully wrote the winning brief when the losing party appealed, resulting in affirmance of the award on appeal

Susan recently wrote a successful Summary Judgment Motion defending a major local developer against a broker commission claim arising out of a commercial lease.  With partner, Ronald Rossi, she successfully defended long-time San Jose landowners sued by a developer who sought to specifically enforce a contract for purchase of their property worth $40 million. 

Susan has successfully argued dozens of appeals before the California Court of Appeals and the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, most recently including the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a complex foreclosure litigation appeal.  On appeal she successfully defended a $1.6 million fraud judgment which included an award of $750,000 of punitive damages in a complicated foreclosure transaction.  In another matter on appeal, Susan successfully defended a jury's verdict awarding her client damages for interference with contract as well as punitive damages of $400,000. 

Susan's recent representation of a local car dealership seeking to enforce its rights-of-first refusal under a lease resulted in a published decision issued by the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

Susan regularly contributes articles to local real estate publications, including the San Jose Business Journal.  She has been repeatedly recognized by San Jose Magazine as a top real estate attorney and has earned Martindale Hubbell's coveted highest rating (AV) ranking her at the highest possible level of professional excellence. 

PERSONAL

Susan is married and has three adult step-children and two grandchildren.  She has lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains for the last 25 years.  Her hobbies include:  running, reading, traveling, and the arts.