Page 9 - Miami Vol 7 No 2
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AALM: Did you have any mentors? What is the best lesson they taught you?
Suskauer: My father, my aunt, my hus- band and Justice Barbara Pariente are some of my most important mentors.  ey taught me the importance of making meaningful connections, taking the initiative and being kind and compassionate. My father could talk to anyone, never came empty-handed and was an expert at follow up. My aunt Sherry Hyman, an attorney in Jupiter, urged me to join local voluntary bar associations and get involved in my legal community. Justice Pariente, a family friend, has always given me great ideas, energy and love. My husband, Scott, stresses the importance of being nice to everyone – courtroom sta , clerks, judicial assistants.
AALM: How welcoming do you think the South Florida legal community is to women practitioners? How do you personally try to help women following in your career path?
Suskauer: I will be the 70th president of  e Florida Bar, but only the sixth woman to serve. When I was a young child, only 3 percent of lawyers in the United States were women. Now in Florida, 38 percent of attor- neys are women, but we have a long way to go to achieve parity in pay and increase the number of equity and managing partners.
As president this year, it is my privilege and my commitment to li  others and make sure the door is opened for many more women so we lose count as to how many have been president of our Bar.
AALM: How supportive are fellow women practitioners? What's the most important advice for women entering the legal profes- sion?
Suskauer: Early in my career, I was en- couraged to join the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, where I found a strong group of women who became a source of support and life-long friendships.  e advice I give to new attorneys is  nd a mentor and get involved with a local bar association or community nonpro t. We have an obligation as attorneys to give back and get involved, both in our legal community and our com- munity at large.
AALM: What challenges do you feel that as a woman you face that men don’t? Con- versly, do you feel that being a woman gives you an advantage in your chosen career?
Suskauer: A recurring theme for me is being underestimated.  at is a challenge and can be frustrating, but also gives me
an advantage. As women, we are constantly trying to prove ourselves, working harder, and in turn, are harder on ourselves. We are judged by our appearances as well as our work product.  at is a tremendous amount of pressure that women deal with daily. I do believe women have an advantage in legal ca- reers. It comes more naturally for us to make connections.
AALM: How do you balance your home life and work life?
Suskauer: As a working mother, it has always been a challenge to try to “do it all.” I feel that I have truly balanced home and work when I don’t completely collapse at the end of the day! When my daughters were growing up, I was fortunate to be in part- nership with my husband. It was exhaust- ing, but we made it work. Women are so incredibly hard on themselves and I am no exception. We must reach out for help from our family, our friends, our community.  e way I handle it is giving up the idea of per- fection. It’s important to do the best that we can but occasionally just trying to do our best is enough.
AALM: Are you looking forward to be- ing president of  e Florida Bar and what changes do you hope to bring to Florida’s legal system as president?
Suskauer: I am a true “people person” and understand the importance of rela- tionships and making connections both in the practice of law and in life. I am ex- cited to travel around the state. Leading the 106,000-member Florida Bar provides op- portunities to do what I love.  e practice of law has changed, and the Bar is helping at- torneys cope with the pressures of the pro- fession by highlighting healthy ways to deal with stress. I am continuing that initiative. I believe in  nding new and innovative ways to increase access to the courts for people who cannot a ord attorneys. As the  rst former public defender to become presi- dent of  e Florida Bar, I remain acutely aware of changes that need to be made in the criminal justice system. I am inviting all the various stakeholders to a summit in fall 2018. I hope we can  nd a way to propose meaningful reforms that can be enacted into legislation.
AALMagazine.com
Suskauer with Justice Barbara J. Pariente
AWARDS
2018 Woman Lawyer of the Year, South Palm Beach FAWL
2018 Fastcase 50 Top 10 Women in the Law, Daily
Business Review Serving Justice
Award, Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County
The Justice Bar- bara Pariente Award, FAWL, Palm Beach County
Leader in the Law, FAWL, Palm Beach County
Woman of Grace Award, Bethesda Hospital Foun- dation
Women in Power Award, National Conference of Jewish Women
Character Counts Award, School District of Palm Beach County
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Image Courtesy of the Florida Bar


































































































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