Overview
Susan Dinneen is a founding member of Strauss Massey Dinneen llc. She is an experienced litigator and advisor, defending her insurance company clients against fraud, extra-contractual/bad faith claims, catastrophe claims, and coverage disputes. She has obtained multiple zero verdicts for her clients in both bench and jury trials and has authored state and federal court appellate briefs that resulted in favorable rulings for the insurance industry. She represents large companies in affirmative actions and has partnered with insurers to coordinate institutional discovery in large-scale hurricane litigation. Susan also represents local businesses on intellectual property and other matters.
Susan is a leader in the New Orleans civic community. She has served on the board of directors of several non-profit organizations including the Junior League of New Orleans, Girls on the Run New Orleans and the Travelers Aid Society and is a Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow. She was honored by New Orleans CityBusiness as one of its Women of the Year and Susan currently serves on the Board of Commissioners for the Lakeview Crime Prevention District.
Susan was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware. She obtained her J.D. from Tulane Law School, where she served as Associate Business Editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal.
Publications and Speaking Engagements
Susan regularly presents in-house to her clients on issues pertinent to their day-to-day business. She has also presented various topics at local and national conferences, including the following:
- Strafford CLE Webinar, “Bad Faith Litigation and Ignorance of the Law: Meeting an Insurer’s Duty to Know the Law Without Losing Privileges” – 2022
- “Discovery in Bad Faith Insurance Litigation: Keys to Successfully Proving or Defending Claims” – Strafford CLE Webinar – 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020, 2021
- “How to Handle Catastrophic Claims” – Fifth Annual Bad Faith Claims & Litigation Strategies ExecuSummit – 2017
- “Intercompany Bad Faith Claims” – Fourth Annual Bad Faith Claims & Litigation Strategies ExecuSummit – 2016
- “Insurance Bad Faith ‘Set-Up’ in Louisiana” – National Business Institute CLE – 2016
- “Discovery in Bad Faith Insurance Litigation” – Third Annual Bad Faith Claims & Litigation Strategies ExecuSummit – 2015
- “Best Practices for Avoiding Bad Faith During the Claims Handling Process” – Louisiana Claims Association’s Educational Conference and Expo – 2015
- “Applying the Rules of Civil Procedure in Louisiana” – National Business Institute CLE – 2015
- “Property Bad Faith in Louisiana – Emerging Trends in Claims Handling & Litigation” – Louisiana Claims Association’s Educational Convention and Expo – 2013
- “Recent Developments in Bad Faith Law in the Gulf States” – American Conference Institute’s 23rd National Advanced Forum on Bad Faith Litigation – 2012
Recognition and Honors
- Tulane Maritime Law Journal, Associate Business Editor, 2004-2005
- New Orleans CityBusiness “Women of the Year” List, 2016
- New Orleans CityBusiness, Leadership in Law, 2022, 2024
- Louisiana Super Lawyers, Insurance Coverage, 2022-2024
- Biz New Orleans, Women to Watch, 2023
- Elite Lawyers, Insurance Law, Inside New Orleans, 2022
- Women of Influence, New Orleans Magazine, 2023
- Ladies Who Launch, St. Charles Avenue Magazine, 2024
- Louisiana Bar Foundation, Fellow
Professional and Community Affiliations
- New Orleans Bar Association
- Lakeview Crime Prevention District, Commissioner, 2022 to the present
- Junior League of New Orleans Member, 2008 to the present; Board of Directors, 2016-2017
- Travelers Aid Society Board of Directors, 2008-2017; Board President, 2014-2016
- Youth Empowerment Project 40 Under 40 Cohort, 2017-2018
- Girls on the Run New Orleans Board of Directors, 2018-2019
- Krewe of Muses Member, 2007 to the present
Education
- Tulane Law School, J.D., 2005
- University of Delaware, B.A., 2001
Bar and Court Admissions
- Louisiana
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana
- U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
