Photograph of Suzanne E. Rode

Suzanne E. Rode

Counsel


Suzanne Rode is a counsel in Crowell & Moring's San Francisco office, where she practices in the firm's Litigation and Labor & Employment groups. Suzanne litigates a variety of complex matters, with a focus on employment disputes and representing higher education institutions. She has significant litigation experience ranging from pre-suit risk assessment to dispositive motion practice to trial and appeal, and defending employers from complaints filed with governmental agencies.

Suzanne also investigates and advises clients on pre-litigation employment issues, including complaints of discrimination and harassment and retaliation, employee discipline and termination, and employee mobility and non-competition issues. She provides advice to employers on the implementation and enforcement of personnel policies, and reviews and drafts various employment agreements to protect her clients’ business and legal interests.  

Suzanne has a pro bono practice focused on immigration. She has represented individuals in applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visa based on status as a victim of human trafficking, and asylum.

Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Suzanne was an associate with the San Francisco firm, Folger Levin & Kahn LLP. While in law school she interned at the San Francisco Office of the City Attorney and worked on the City's constitutional challenge to discriminatory marriage laws in California.

Education

  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., cum laude
  • University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A., high honors

Affiliations

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Bar Association of San Francisco

View More

Practices

Litigation & Trial

Commercial Litigation

Labor and Employment

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Team

Privacy and Cybersecurity

Show more practices…

  • Represented a public university in a novel constitutional case, defeating a motion for preliminary injunction that sought to halt the university’s policy requiring all students, employees, and faculty on campus to receive a flu vaccine.
  • Defended a major university in connection with retaliation and whistleblower claims by a former employee, prevailing on summary judgment and on appeal.
  • Successfully defended administrative complaints filed by former employee with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
  • Represented a major university in litigation brought by multiple former employees alleging discrimination and harassment, resulting in a confidential settlement.
  • Represented major retailer in dispute regarding exclusive clause in leases at shopping center.  Prevailed on liability issue at trial and obtained damages on appeal.
  • Represented a start-up semiconductor company in trade secrets litigation against former employees and their new company resulting in a confidential settlement.
  • Defended a major health care organization in class action litigation in federal and state courts arising out of alleged loss of protected health information.
  • Represented Plaintiffs Sears, Macy's, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express in litigation stemming from a devastating fire at the Roseville Galleria, an upscale shopping center operated by Westfield in Northern California.
  • Obtained a preliminary injunction for a major car rental company against an online travel agency after a two-week evidentiary hearing.
"Ninth Circuit Decision Clears the Way for California Employers to Require Arbitration Agreements," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 24, 2023). Contacts: Christopher J. Banks, Suzanne E. Rode, Kimberley Johnson
Client Alert / Newsletter
"California Provides More Guidance on New Pay Data Reporting Requirements," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (February 3, 2023). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Rebecca L. Springer, Suzanne E. Rode
Client Alert / Newsletter
"California Employment Law Update: Key New Laws Impacting Employers in 2023," Crowell & Moring Webinar, 2023. (January 19, 2023). Speakers: Christopher Banks, Suzanne Rode, Kimberley Johnson
Speech/Presentation
"New York City’s Pay Transparency Law Goes Into Effect," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (November 11, 2022). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Rebecca L. Springer, Ira M. Saxe, Eric Su, Sadina Montani, Suzanne E. Rode
Client Alert / Newsletter
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) Recognizes Crowell & Moring’s Molly Jones and Suzanne Rode for Pro Bono Efforts (October 27, 2022)
Firm News / Announcement
"California Requires Disclosure of Pay Scales in Job Postings and Significant New Pay Data Reporting," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (September 28, 2022). Contacts: Kris D. Meade, Rebecca L. Springer, Christopher J. Banks, Suzanne E. Rode
Client Alert / Newsletter
"California Implements Greater Restrictions on Employee Settlement, Separation and Other Employment Agreements," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (October 21, 2021). Contacts: Ira M. Saxe, Trina Fairley Barlow, Rebecca L. Springer, Eric Su, Suzanne E. Rode, Kimberley Johnson
Client Alert / Newsletter
"The U.S. Department of Labor Repeals Trump-Era Independent Contractor Rule," Administrative Law Alert (May 10, 2021). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Ira M. Saxe, Eric Su, Andrew W. Bagley, Suzanne E. Rode
Client Alert / Newsletter
"CDC Issues New Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (May 3, 2021). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Eric Su, Katie Erno, Suzanne E. Rode, Jessica S. Nam
Client Alert / Newsletter
"New California Law Requires Re-Hiring of Laid-off Hospitality and Business Services Workers for Open Positions Through 2024," Labor & Employment Law Alert - US (April 28, 2021). Contacts: Thomas P. Gies, Kris D. Meade, Ira M. Saxe, Eric Su, Suzanne E. Rode, Kimberley Johnson
Client Alert / Newsletter

For all Highlights, News & Knowledge, please click here to view desktop bio.

Crowell & Moring LLP is an international law firm with offices in the United States, Europe, MENA, and Asia that represents clients in litigation and arbitration, regulatory and policy, and transactional and corporate matters. The firm is internationally recognized for its representation of Fortune 500 companies in high-stakes litigation and government-facing matters, as well as its ongoing commitment to pro bono service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

View Desktop Site | Mobile Sitemap |

Contact | Subscribe | Terms of Use | Privacy Statement | Alumni

© Crowell & Moring LLP 2023
Attorney advertising - prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.