Susan Duarte
Partner
Susan is a trusted legal advisor for businesses ranging from startups to Fortune 100 companies, specializing in technology, advertising, data privacy, and consumer protection. She leads a skilled team in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and risk management while providing practical, proactive guidance. Recognized as the “Best In-House Counsel of the Year” by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2024, Susan has successfully represented clients before various regulatory bodies and is known for her expertise in litigation and compliance.
Biography
Susan is a trusted legal advisor to businesses of all sizes, from emerging startups to established Fortune 100 companies. She provides comprehensive legal counsel in the fields of technology, advertising, data privacy, and consumer protection, with a focus on helping clients navigate complex regulatory landscapes and minimize legal risks. With a career spanning large law firms and in-house counsel roles, Susan has developed a diverse range of expertise. Susan oversees a team of highly skilled attorneys, ensuring they deliver best-in-class legal guidance on consumer protection, advertising claim substantiation, consumer protection, data privacy, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence matters.
Susan is known for her proactive and practical approach, working closely with clients to understand business objectives, identify compliance gaps, develop best practices, and develop robust strategies for risk management. She is passionate about helping businesses harness cutting-edge technologies responsibly, while ensuring they adhere to ever-evolving legal and regulatory standards. By providing clear, actionable legal guidance, Susan empowers organizations to operate confidently in complex industries and bring innovative products and services to the market. Susan was recognized by the Association of Corporate Counsel as “Best In-House Counsel of the Year in 2024.”
Susan helps clients support advertising campaigns, negotiate marketing agreements and resolve disputes with competitors and regulators. In addition, Susan helps businesses navigate the complexities of data protection and artificial intelligence laws, rules and guidelines, ensuring compliance while innovating responsibly, safeguarding their reputation, and positioning them for long-term success.
Susan has successfully defended clients in high-stakes investigations and routine inquiries before numerous regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and State Attorneys General. She is also a seasoned advocate in matters before the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has extensive litigation experience in both federal and state courts.
Affiliated Interests
- Women’s Bar Association
- IAPP
Recognition
- Jonathan S. Silber Network Member of the Year, ACC 2024
- Financial Services Mid-Size Network of the Year – Network Chair, 2019, 2020, 2024
Education
- Catholic University, Colombus School of Law, JD and Technology Law Institute Certificate, 2001
- Boston College, B.A., 1996
- Duke University, FinTech Law and Policy Certification, 2023
- Harvard University, Leadership Certification, 2024
Admissions
- Virginia, 2001
- Washington, D.C., 2002
Speaking Engagements
- Conference Chair and Speaker – ACI Advertising Substantiation Conference Chair and Speaker – January 2020.
- Association of Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting on Financial Advertising Requirements October 2019.
- Panel Speaker – Pennsylvania Bar Association – Crisis Management – March 2019.
- Panel Speaker – Legal Week – Crisis Management – January 2019.
- Panel Speaker: Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Protection Conference – January 2016.
- Panel Speaker: Establishing Robust AI Governance: Fostering Innovation While Managing Risk – December 2024.
