Suzanne Potter-Padilla is a seasoned employment attorney with extensive experience conducting and advising on complex workplace investigations and defending employers in employment litigation.
Her career spans government service and private practice, where she has developed deep knowledge in whistleblower protection, employment discrimination laws, workplace policy development, and training.
Before joining FordHarrison, Suzanne served as an Attorney Advisor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, where she provided legal counsel on high-profile investigations involving senior leader misconduct and whistleblower retaliation. She played a pivotal role in advising investigators, shaping investigative strategy, and drafting reports that influence executive-level disciplinary decisions. Her work included matters with significant congressional and media attention, particularly in the areas of sexual harassment and financial conflicts of interest.
Before this post, Suzanne served in a similar capacity at the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. There, she managed a docket of whistleblower retaliation investigations, conducted witness interviews, analyzed evidence, and issued legal findings and recommendations directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security. Suzanne also developed and led trainings for DHS sub-agencies on whistleblower protections and contractor-related issues.
Earlier in her career, Suzanne spent seven years at a large multi-national labor and employment law firm where she represented employers in federal and state courts in a broad range of employment matters. She also counseled clients on compliance, drafted workplace policies, and successfully defended numerous summary judgment motions and appeals. Clients appreciated her legal acumen and trusted her with sensitive internal investigations and high-stakes litigation. She began her legal career in business immigration, advising employers on hiring and work authorization strategies for skilled foreign professionals.