Susan C. Rodgers
Partner | Akron
Employment & Labor Practice Group Leader
Assistant | Amy Zeleznik : [email protected]
About Susan:
Susan is an employment and labor attorney. She serves as a resource for business owners, management teams and human resources directors as she guides them through the day-to-day issues that arise with employment and labor law matters.
Susan defends clients before the National Labor Relations Board, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and state federal and courts. She aims to be on the front end for her clients so she can help prevent employment and labor lawsuits. However, when the risk of litigation is present, she instills in clients the confidence to make difficult choices that will protect them, their staff, and their business.
The greatest gift she gives to clients is her ability to see beyond the law and into the realities of their workplace. Susan knows every decision they make can impact one, or all, employees. That’s why she takes the time to understand her clients’ business goals and ensure her work aligns with their needs. Susan is here to help her clients sit well with the decisions they make so they can run a positive, effective and productive work environment.
- Serves as chair of the Employment & Labor Practice Group, General Counsel and is a member of the firm's Executive Committee
- Actively involved in advising and educating clients regarding compliance with and handling a variety of employment and labor issues, including Title VII, age discrimination, and disability
- Has represented employers before state and federal courts as well as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board
- Extensive experience in the development, implementation, and review of corporate personnel policies and procedures
- Has significant experience performing investigations regarding sexual harassment and sexual misconduct for corporations and higher education institutions (Title IX-related investigations)
- Has served as mediator and decision maker for Title IX and non-Title IX matters for school districts and higher educations institutions.
- Makes presentations regarding employment and discrimination issues
- Prior to joining the Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC, was director at Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A.
- Served as a member of the University of Cincinnati Law Review
- The University of Cincinnati College of Law (J.D., 1991)
- The Ohio State University (B.A., 1988)
Admissions
- Ohio
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® (2011-2025)
- Recognized by Crain's Cleveland Business as a Notable Leader in Employment & Labor Law (2023)
- Named Best Lawyers in America® ‘Lawyer of the Year’ (2019-2020, 2024)
- Recognized by Best Lawyers® "Women in Law" Business Edition for Employment & Labor Law (2016)
- Selected for inclusion in Ohio’s Super Lawyers® (2011-2012, 2015-2024), as voted by her peers
- Stark County District Library, Vice President, Board of Trustees
- GentleBrook, Inc. fka Hartville Homes, Inc., Trustee
- Leadership Stark County, 9th Class
Associations
- Ohio State Bar Association
- Stark County Bar Association
Presentations:
- The Impact of COVID-19 on Employment Issues (30 minute webinar) (November 2020)
- “The Generation Gap in the Workplace” Sikich & Buckingham Event (February 2020)
- “HR Nightmares |How to handle employee situations that keep you up at night” Ohio HR Chamber Academy Webinar (May 2019)
- "The Battle of the Depositions in a Wrongful Discharge Case," "What Would You Do?," and "Recent Developments that Impact the Management of Your Workforce," Buckingham's Employment Seminar (2015)
- “Managing Disabilities and Leaves of Absence under the ADA, FMLA and PDA," Buckingham's Employment Seminar (2014)
- “Employment and Labor Implications of the Affordable Care Act” Stark County Medical Society (2014)
- “Restrictive Covenants: Paper Agreements in an Electronic Age,” Buckingham's Employment Seminar (2011)
- “What’s New, Different, & On the Horizon in Labor & Employment Law,” OHCA Seminar (2010)
- “Understanding the Proposed Employee Free Choice Act and How You Can Be Proactive,” Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC Client Seminar (2009)
- “Hot Topics in the Law for Personnel Managers,” Starkjobs.com seminar (2008)
- “Combating Leave Abuse,” Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC Employment & Workers’ Compensation Seminar (2008)
- “Employee Handbooks and Personnel Policies: Safety is an Important Component,” Akron Canton Safety Counsel (2008)
- “The Ohio Healthy Families Act: A Legislative Update,” Akron SHRM seminar (2008)
- “What is Harassment, and How Should Your Company Respond?,” AkronWorks.com seminar (2008) and Starkjobs.com seminar (2008)
- “Sexual Harassment – How To Protect Your Business,” Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce Successful Women in Business (2007)
- “Employee Handbook Workshop,” Starkjobs.com (2007)
- “Eight Ways to Protect Your Company from Employment Liability,” Garfield Heights Chamber of Commerce (2007)
- “Employment Law Update: New Developments and Legal Trends,” Wayne Area Human Resource Association (2007)
- “Top Ten Things Employers Can Do to Avoid Employment Law Liability,” Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC Annual Real Estate & Construction Seminar (2007)
- “Employee Handbook Workshop,” Starkjobs.com Training Seminar (2007)
- “Minimum Wage, Smoking Ban, and Trends in Employment Litigation,” SHRM Seminar (2007)
- “Retaliation or Reasonable Management Decision? The Supreme Court Raises the Stakes for Employers,” Canton Akron Safety Council (2006)
- “Representing a Business in Distress,” Stark County Bar Association Corporate Law Committee (2006)
- “Trends and Pitfalls- Case Law Update,” Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLC Employment & Workers’ Compensation Seminar, Cleveland, OH (2005)
- FTC Ban on Non-Compete Agreements (April 24, 2024)
- EEOC Issues Guidance on Employer-Mandated COVID-19 Vaccinations (December 28, 2020)
- Regulations Related to Families First Coronovirus Response Act (FFCRA) Revised by DOL (September 17, 2020)
- U.S. Department of Labor puts out additional guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in its expanded Q&A (March 30, 2020)
- The U.S. Department of Labor issues model notice as required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) (March 26, 2020)
- Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act – Key Takeaways and Requirements (March 19, 2020)
- Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act – Key Takeaways and Requirements (March 19, 2020)
- Unemployment Due to COVID-19 (March 19, 2020)
- EEOC Releases Pandemic Guidance (March 18, 2020)
- Supreme Court stops employers from collecting automatic agency fees for public-sector unions (July 5, 2018)
- "Businesses should be proactive and prepared for the final white collar exemption rules," Crain's Cleveland Business- Akron Edition (2016)
- "Avoiding the Pits of Cherry Picking: How to Deal with the Risks of Hiring Employees Covered by Non-Compete Agreements," Crain's Cleveland Business blog (2015)
- Quoted in "DOL Proposal Could Lead to Overtime for Millions of White-Collar Workers," Akron Legal News (2015)
- Prior member of the Board of Contributors for The Repository, and prepared a monthly column for the newspaper.
- “Misclassification of Employees as Independent Contractors” Crain's Cleveland Business (2014)
- “What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You: Contesting Unemployment Compensation Claims,” MD News (2011)
- Quoted: “Wage and hour litigation on the rise,” Akron Legal News (2010)
CONNECT WITH Susan
Our attorneys will provide a collaborative, thoughtful approach to your legal needs. We look forward to connecting with you.
