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Susan J. Best

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Susan Best specializes in employment law litigation representing both public and private employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, civil rights and constitutional claims, including those brought pursuant to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Section 1983, the ADA, the FMLA, the ADEA, and similar state statutes. Susan is also experienced in training and counseling clients on a wide variety of employment-related issues, including Title IX compliance, anti-discrimination policies and procedures, discipline, work performance, leave policies, workplace accommodations, and best practices. She has experience representing clients at the administrative level, including at that IDHR and EEOC, at the district and circuit court levels, and at the appellate level.

Prior to joining GRSM, Susan oversaw all federal litigation matters brought against the Board of Education of the City of Chicago (a.k.a. “CPS”) – the nation’s fourth-largest school district serving approximately 325,000 students and employees. While at CPS, Ms. Best acted as the liaison between CPS and the federal government –US Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”) – to ensure CPS’ compliance with Title IX and other federal statutes. In this role, Susan drafted policies and procedures that addressed the prevention, investigation, and response to Title IX complaints and other allegations of discrimination and harassment. She also played a significant role in creating and implementing the nation’s first Office of Student Protections & Title IX (OSP), the CPS department responsible for coordinating its response to all incidents of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, harassment, and bullying under Title IX.  

Trial Results

  • Complete Defense Verdict in Federal Jury Trial for Chicago Public Schools (December 2022)

  • Author, Title IX Regulations Checklist, JD Supra, August 17, 2020

  • Presenter, Personnel Record Retention, IASPA HR Essentials, September 2024 
  • Presenter, Title IX: Implementing New Regulations, IASA Spring Legal Workshop, April 2024 
  • Presenter, Title IX Grievance Procedures, IASA Title IX Training and Resources, August 2024 
  • Presenter, Title IX Regulations re: Sexual Misconduct/Harassment, Webinar, July 16, 2020
     

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern, Central and Southern District of Illinois
  • Trial Bar of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District Court of Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Memberships

  • Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA)
  • Chicago Bar Association

Education

  • J.D., magna cum laude, Northern Illinois University College of Law, 2010
    • Awarded Full Tuition Waiver for Academic Achievement
    • NIU Law Review, Symposium Editor
    • Public Interest Law Society, President
    • Moot Court Team, Member
  • B.A., Pre-law and Women Studies with Honors, University of Iowa, 2007

Honors

Related Content

Accolade

Partner Susan Best Named Among 40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty by Chicago’s Law Bulletin Media

September 2024
Legal Alert

Illinois Human Rights Act Amendments Extend Limitations Period and Introduce Two New Protected Classes

August 2024
Legal Alert

Illinois Employment Law Update 2024

November 2023
Result

Chicago Team Secures Complete Defense Verdict in Federal Jury Trial for Chicago Public Schools

December 2022