Susan S. Ford

Susan S. Ford


Sussman Shank LLP

Recognized since 2011

Portland, Oregon

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Bankruptcy

Send Susan S. Ford an email at sford@sussmanshank.com Navigate to map location for Susan S. Ford
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Bankruptcy
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Susan has over 30 years of experience resolving complex business problems for clients, both in and out of the courtroom. She is a trusted advisor to businesses and individuals on strategic entity governance and restructuring issues, to meet specific company growth needs, or to confront serious challenges caused by distress situations. She specializes in Chapter 11 reorganizations, liquidations, and receiverships. Susan has represented all types of parties involved in restructuring situations, receiverships, Chapter 11 reorganizations, and liquidations, including debtors, state and federal court receivers, creditors' committees, secured lenders, unsecured creditors, trustees, and asset purchasers.

Susan is an experienced trial lawyer, representing parties in business and commercial litigation cases, regulatory-related actions, and in bankruptcy litigation. She practices primarily in Oregon and Washington, but also appears in jurisdictions outside the Pacific Northwest.

Susan is the immediate past Chair of the firm's Business Restructuring and Bankruptcy Group, which was named a 2016 Tier One Law Firm by "Best Law Firms" U.S. News & World Report & Best Lawyers®. She has been individually named to Oregon's Top 50 Super Lawyers and Oregon's Top 25 Women Super Lawyers Lists. She has also been selected for inclusion by Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Bankruptcy and Creditor-Debtor Rights Law.

Susan has devoted substantial time to professional and pro bono organizations throughout her career, including serving as Chair and a member of the Executive Committee of the Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section, and as a Board Member and Officer of the Northwest Chapter of the Turnaround Management Association. She is a regular speaker and moderator at continuing legal education programs, and volunteers her legal services to the Oregon Legal Aid Bankruptcy Clinic. Susan has also volunteered as an Attorney-Coach for Jesuit High School's Mock Trial Program, including the team that won the Oregon State championship in 2012.

Location
  • 1000 Southwest Broadway, Suite 1400
    Portland, OR 97205
Education
  • Lewis & Clark College, J.D., graduated 1984
  • Lewis & Clark College, B.A.
Bar Admissions
  • Oregon, State Bar
  • Washington, State Bar
Affiliations
  • Turnaround Management Association - Past President and Board Member
Court Admissions
  • United States District Courts of Oregon and Washington, including the Eastern and Western Districts
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Bankruptcy
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy, Portland, OR (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
Awards:
  • William N. Stiles Award of Merit 2018, Oregon State Bar Debtor-Creditor Section
  • Best Lawyers in America® 2011 - 2021: Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights Law / Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Oregon Super Lawyers® 2012 - 2020
  • Oregon Super Lawyers® Top 25 WomenList 2013 - 2020
  • Oregon Super Lawyers® Top 50 List 2015 - 2020
  • Preeminent AV®, peer review rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

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