Susan Tillotson Bunch

After practicing law for more than 22 years, I can honestly say that I eagerly look forward to Mondays, because the always evolving areas in which I practice and the fascinating people with whom I work ensure that every day is unique and interesting.

I practice in the areas of media, technology, contests and sweepstakes, and advertising. My media practice includes prepublication review and advice, litigation defense such as defamation, privacy and other content-related claims, preparation of media and technology contracts, and advocacy of public rights of access to judicial and governmental records and proceedings.

In the technology and marketing areas, my typical day may involve anything and everything from advising clients on various Internet, technology, mobile marketing or other advertising issues, not to mention all of the regulatory acronyms (CAN-SPAM, COPPA, TCPA, FTC/CARU), assisting clients with website terms of use, privacy policies, licenses, social networking guidelines, online advertising agreements, litigating domain name disputes and working with clients who wish to operate contests, sweepstakes and other promotions.

I am very fortunate to have the chance to work with a variety of clients in a wide range of consumer and trade games of chance, contests of skill, user-generated content promotions, charitable promotions, and other exciting advertising promotions, which are offered in a growing number of media, ranging from the more “traditional” radio, television, print and direct mail, to electronic media such as e-mail and online, and emerging technologies using text messaging, Smartphones and other mobile devices, as well GPS-enabled programs.

Ideally, I work closely with our clients from beginning to end to ensure that every aspect of the promotion fulfills their legal obligations under the growing web of regulations implicated by cross-platform and high-tech promotions, while still focusing on achieving their marketing goals, whether the promotion is local, regional, national or international (multi-zone).

I especially enjoy collaborating and brainstorming creative solutions to otherwise onerous regulations. At the same time, I am often called on to assist in negotiating and drafting agreements between co-sponsors and other promotion entities, such as prize suppliers, celebrity endorsers, and fulfillment companies, to ensure clarity between the obligations and responsibilities of all entities or persons involved in major campaigns.

Kid issues are one of my passions. As a result,I served for several years as a certified Guardian ad Litem, representing the abused or neglected children, as a board member for A Gift for Teaching of Tampa Bay, the Child Abuse Council & Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and as a legal services volunteer in the local Domestic Violence Intake Center through Bay Area Legal Services.

At home, Kent (my indisputably better half) and I together wrangle 3 sons & 1 very spoiled yellow Lab. In my "spare" time, I am an avid martial artist, which allows me to vent any simmering frustrations during sparring, as well as a self-professed & unapologetic geek.