Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Susan is a motivated criminal defense attorney dedicated to providing her clients with high-quality representation to obtain the best results in each unique case. Whether her clients' interests are best served by trial or by negotiating a favorable resolution, Susan is prepared with the knowledge, skills and experience to achieve her clients' goals.
Recent results include:
- a verdict of not guilty of a weapons offense;
- dismissal of charges after Susan demonstrated the client's conduct was legal;
- negotiating a sentence of less than 1 year jail for a client charged with a felony
punishable by life in prison.
Susan has represented clients ranging from minor misdemeanors and traffic tickets to felonies punishable by life in prison. Susan's experience prosecuting similar cases and participating in the local treatment courts has provided an advantage to clients facing serious felonies and violations of probation who serve no jail or prison at the conclusion of their cases.
Prior to founding Susan Longsworth, PLC, Susan served for ten years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Washtenaw County. As an assistant prosecutor, Susan presented a full range of cases to juries, from minor misdemeanors to life offenses. Susan further served as the prosecutor’s representative in all the Ann Arbor specialty courts: Sobriety Court, Street Outreach Court, Mental Health Treatment Court, and Veteran’s Treatment Court.
While at the Prosecutor’s Office, Susan served as Circuit Court Trial Attorney, Lead Domestic Violence Prosecutor, and Warrant Review Attorney. As a Circuit Court Trial Attorney, Susan prosecuted everything from low severity felonies, such as larceny and drug crimes, to life offenses, such as armed robbery and carjacking. While Lead Domestic Violence Prosecutor, Susan reviewed the prosecution of every domestic violence case, and handled first offender misdemeanors to attempted murder. As Warrant Review Attorney, Susan evaluated police investigations and decided whether to issue or deny criminal charges.
Susan trained police officers at departments throughout Washtenaw County, at the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), and at the WCC Police Academy. These trainings addressed police investigation strategies concerning domestic violence, drunk driving, identity theft, and general crimes.
Susan’s background as a prosecutor gives her insight into the criminal justice system, including all of Ann Arbor’s specialty courts, that she puts to work on behalf of her clients. Thanks to her work as a police trainer, Susan understands the protocols that police officers need to follow when investigating cases of drunk driving and drug offenses – and she knows where to look for the evidence that can lead to charges being dismissed.
Following her tenure as an assistant prosecutor, Susan practiced criminal law at her own firm, before joining the law office of Michael P. Manley, PC, in 2016. While working with Mr. Manley--a highly reputed and effective criminal defense attorney in Flint, Michigan--Susan received premier training unique to the defense side of criminal law.
Susan graduated cum laude from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, having majored in English and Spanish. While a student, Susan volunteered at the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee. Susan then attended Notre Dame Law School on an academic scholarship, and earned her law degree in 2002.
Susan chose to attend Notre Dame in part because of the school’s focus on justice, particularly its Center for Civil and Human Rights, and was employed as a faculty research assistant for that department’s Associate Director. She volunteered for the late Justice Patrick Crooks, a Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. While at Notre Dame, Susan co-established the Notre Dame Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, participated in externships at the St. Joseph County (IN) Office of the Public Defender, and interned at the Federal Defenders of San Diego, the nation’s busiest Federal Defender’s Office.
After receiving her law degree, Susan traveled to Santiago, Chile, where she worked in international law at the law firm of Alwyn Abogados. Susan was mentored by attorneys who served on the Human Rights Commission, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as diplomats and as legal educators.
Susan began her law career in the States as the Judicial Attorney for 43rd Circuit Court Judge Susan Dobrich in Cass County, Michigan. In the 43rd Circuit Court, Susan gained experience in Juvenile Delinquency cases, Abuse/Neglect proceedings, Personal Protection Orders, and Felony Crimes, as well as Friend of the Court, Probate, and Family Law matters. Among her responsibilities, she commonly helped unrepresented parties navigate through the court system. It was here that Susan decided to dedicate her career to criminal law.
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withState: Michigan
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
103 East Liberty Street, Suite 210, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
132 E Grand River Ave, STE 207, Brighton, MI, 48116
23 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews | Criminal Defense
Posted by Nate | September 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Susan was simply amazing!
Susan was Very communicative always answered always had a back up plan for whatever I may encounter during my legal procedures I was in a specialty court and in recovery and Susan represented me and in that time I had two violations on my probation for a petty things and Susan helped me all the way ...
Posted by anonymous | July 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
She got the job done
Starting off with this case I was very nervous and scared. Me and my mom hired Susan and when we got to court and met her the first day she did a good job of talking to me and making me understand everything that was going on and what the charges and possible outcomes where. In my case I was trying t...
Posted by Melissa | July 03, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
She Cares!
I can’t thank my atty Susan Longsworth enough! She literally saved my son’s life! She got 3 felonies reduced to two minor misdemeanors. Thank you representing my son, who by the way was 17 charged as an adult and at the same time a high school honor student at the time, now a graduate!! Thank you Tha...
Posted by anonymous | May 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Couldn't have asked for Better Representation
About a year and a half ago I was visiting family for Thanksgiving, out of state (in Michigan) and had an awful situation happen and I really didn't know where to begin. I needed a criminal defense attorney and after doing as much research as I could I decided to put my trust in Susan. I can't be hap...
Posted by anonymous | May 01, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Outstanding Attorney
I had an accident in Washtenaw County in 1997, and with out my knowledge I was charged with a DUI. I had no Idea till 2018 when I was pulled over on a Friday night for driving on suspended license, and with a bench warrant issued as well. This was a total surprise to me as to I had renewed my license...
"I have know Susan for many years through her work as an assistant county prosecutor and later as a defense attorney. I was, at different times, working opposite her as a criminal defense attorney, along side her as the city prosecutor, and finally as a co-worker doing criminal defense working for the same firm. Susan is a very capable attorney; knowledgeable about the law, able to work well with clients, other attorneys, and judges. She is an effective communicator and at all times displays a professional demeanor. As a prosecutor I always believed that she was fair and honest in the cases I was defending. As a defense attorney she was able to relate well with the clients and able to form a good working relationship with them, something that is not always easy to do. She has a solid work ethic; was always prepared, punctual, and professional. I would not hesitate to hire Susan as my attorney, and l would strongly recommend her for a position with a criminal defense firm."
Employment and labor lawyer
2014 - Present
Owner, Susan Longsworth, PLC
2016 - 2016
Attorney, Michael Manley, PC
2004 - 2014
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office
2002 - 2004
Judicial Attorney, 43rd Judicial Circuit Court
2001 - 2001
Legal Intern, Federal Defenders, Inc. San Diego
2016 - Present
Livingston County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Criminal Defense Attorneys of MichiganMember
2015 - Present
Michigan State Appellate Defender OfficeMember
2015 - Present
State Appellate Defenders AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Women Lawyers Association of Michigan (WLAM)Member
2013 - Present
Washtenaw County Bar AssociationMember
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2016
Practicing Criminal Defense
2011
Investigating Domestic Violence
2011
Investigating Drunk Driving
English
Spanish
Legal Answers
Can a judge make a defendant sit in jail after paying bail?
27 Feb 2017
I found out I have a felony warrant that is about 20years old
01 Mar 2017
I was convicted of violating a PPO and sentenced to 10 days jail time. Is this conviction considered a misdemeanor?
09 Jan 2017