Susan Satkowski concentrates her practice on the defense of product liability, complex commercial litigation and insurance coverage matters on behalf of Fortune 500 companies, insurers and businesses of all sizes. She also advises clients on insurance policy interpretation, indemnity and contract issues. Whether handling high-stakes litigation involving consumer and food products, industrial equipment, or emerging biotechnology to counseling start-up companies, Susan brings a comprehensive, client-focused approach that integrates thorough preparation, close collaboration with in-house counsel and other client representatives along with effective risk management.

Additionally, Susan handles all types of alternate dispute resolution, from American Arbitration Association arbitrations in various jurisdictions to court-ordered and private mediations. She also serves as an arbitrator in both state and federal court cases.

Susan began her legal career in the Office of General Counsel at General Motors Corporation and has since managed a diverse litigation portfolio that includes product liability, insurance, commercial, bankruptcy, employment, construction, aviation, medical malpractice, life sciences and toxic tort matters. Her experience includes handling cases involving cutting-edge issues such as gene therapy and biotechnology materials. She has managed litigation from case initiation through appeal and has been admitted pro hac vice in multiple jurisdictions nationwide to defend high-profile cases.

In addition to her legal practice, Susan has spoken at numerous legal and industry conferences, seminar topics of which have ranged from mock trials, case studies, business response to incidents, professional standards of care and international legal considerations for companies in the U.S. and abroad. She regularly guest lectures at Drexel University’s College of Engineering to students on the considerations of product liability in product design.

Susan earned her J.D. from William & Mary Law School, where she published two articles as a member of the William & Mary Law Review prior to graduation. She received her B.S., summa cum laude, in economics from the State University of New York at Albany and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics honor society).toxi

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Honorary Consul, Kingdom of Norway in Pennsylvania, 2018 – present
  • Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, 2018 to present
    • Chair, Nominating Committee
  • American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia, 2021 – present
    • Board of Governors
    • Chair, Nominating Committee
    • Compensation Committee
  • Member, NorCham (Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce – Philadelphia Chapter), 2017 – present
  • Sons of Norway, 2017 – present
  • Lincoln Table, Union League of Philadelphia

Practice Highlights

Representative Matters

  • Defended contractor in high stakes power plant litigation involving complex issues of turbine design and power back-up systems, settling after aggressive discovery and pre-trial motion practice.
  • Obtained A.A.A.-New York arbitration award for insurance carrier, recouping bad faith settlement payment involving Florida claim.
  • Obtained summary judgment for appliance manufacturer in several jurisdictions, including successful Daubert challenges to opposing party’s expert.
  • Counseled client regarding contract issues involving biological products.
  • Acted as national liaison counsel for product manufacturer and service industry clients, coordinating defense of litigation with local counsel in jurisdictions across the U.S..
  • Defended product manufacturer in high profile fire litigation, involving class action and multiple wrongful death and significant property loss claims.