Susanne Calabrese, one of our Board members, is an attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP, based in Downtown Miami.
What is your business?
I am a trial attorney at Fox Rothschild LLP, a full-service, national law firm with more than 800 attorneys in 21 offices throughout the country. Essentially, I help solve disputes for business owners, landlords, medical professionals, real estate developers, and startups. I particularly enjoy working with women and women-owned businesses to eliminate any obstacles they face – whether it is a dispute with her business partner, an issue with a contract, or a problem with an employment agreement, I can help. Fox is a big law firm, but it’s a bit different from other firms. Each of our offices has deep roots in the local business community, and the firm maintains the focus and flexibility of a boutique firm while providing clients with the reach and resources of a national firm. This provides me the opportunity to offer top-notch legal services at an affordable price point.
Where are you from?
I am originally from Long Island, NY. I grew up in Lynbrook, NY and moved to Rockville Centre, NY before high school.
If not from Miami, why/how did you come to Miami?
After attending college in Massachusetts, I lived in New York City, San Diego and Washington, D.C. Eight years ago, I moved to Miami to be closer to family in South Florida and I love it!
What is your professional/business history?
I have practiced law for more than 10 years. Before entering private practice in 2007, I was a law clerk at the U.S. Department of Justice in both the Civil Division and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section. I was also an intern for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and I served as a legislative intern for a U.S. Senator in Washington, D.C.
I had a variety of jobs before law school. I was a summer camp counselor, a receptionist at a medical office, and I sold parking tickets at Jones Beach near my hometown. Having worked with such a broad spectrum of people throughout my life helps me immensely in my law practice today.
What makes your business successful/unique? Anything you take special attention to or pride in?
Client service is absolutely my top priority, and that begins with responsiveness. I truly care about the people and businesses that I help. I return every call and I respond to every email. I take the time to carefully walk my clients through the difficult issues they face and carefully explain the often confusing process of litigation.
If business is female locally owned, how is it running a female locally owned business? Struggles? Advantages?
My firm does a terrific job of recognizing the benefits of a diverse workforce and it is especially committed to the retention and advancement of women. Fox Rothschild LLP has been named five times to a list of the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Working Mother Magazine. Women lawyers at Fox sit on the firm’s executive committee, serve as department chairs, practice group leaders and office managing partners, and lead firmwide committees. In addition, the firm is a sponsor of the WCC and has always supported my work on the Chamber’s Executive Committee.
Aside from running the business, what are some of your personal interests?
I enjoy singing karaoke (badly!), reading historical fiction, bike riding, trying new restaurants and spending time with my family.