Susan L. Hartman

Susan L. Hartman

also known as Sue Hartman

4.9
Rating: 8.9

Licensed for 22 years

DUI and DWI Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: DUI & DWI

8880 Rio San Diego Dr., Suite 800; PMB 846, San Diego, CA

About Susan

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

DUI and DWI 100%

Aggressive, accessible, exclusively drunk driving defense. Appearances in all San Diego County courts and the DMV.

17 years | 300 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 18 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2007

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 22 years

State: California

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

8880 Rio San Diego Dr., Suite 800; PMB 846, San Diego, CA, 92108

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Susan L. Hartman's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

27 Client Reviews

5 star (26)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by Sja-nal | December 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

An attorney who truly cares

I am incredibly thankful for everything Attorney Susan did for me. As a first-time mom, this process felt especially overwhelming and emotional, but she made me feel truly seen and heard — not like just another court case. From the very beginning, she took the time to explain everything, answered all... of my questions with patience, and kept me informed every step of the way. She guided us through the entire process with so much care, helping us feel prepared and confident when facing our court case with the judge. Beyond her professionalism, her warmth, kindness, and genuine compassion meant more to me than I can put into words. I will always be grateful for her support and highly recommend Attorney Susan to anyone who wants an attorney who truly cares.

Posted by Olivia | September 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend!

I loved working with Susan Hartman! I highly recommend hiring her for your case. Here is an email I wrote to her expressing how grateful I am for her services. "I would like to thank you for all your help in dealing with my case. You made me feel informed and comfortable with your expertise. I’m so g...lad I chose you to represent me. I’m 131 days sober and working full time to pay off my debts haha. I’m so grateful I got the chance to meet you in person. Thank you again for being a genuine and caring person."

Posted by Justin | December 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly Recommend Susan

Susan significantly simplified a complex process. From the outset, she instilled a sense of confidence and provided me with comprehensive knowledge and what options were available to me. I wholeheartedly recommend Susan to anyone seeking her services.

Posted by Anonymous | January 2, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Really bad experience...

I’d give minus 5 stars, if it was possible. I hardly ever write reviews, too many things to do every day. But in rare cases I feel like I really should, and this is one of them. I was initially misled by this attorney good reviews and ratings, until I noticed, (too late unfortunately), that she has o...nly about one review per year, which she may easily write herself. She was as sweet as she could be in our initial conversation, but that lasted only one day -before she got my money-. The second day her personality changed 180 degrees, as almost if she was bipolar. And after the third day she was ignoring me altogether. She was hiding from me important discovery documents, which were in my favor, together with the fact that she was unable to become my attorney of record all the way through the second hearing, which is usually the most important one. Thanks to this I was treated by the court as if I had no lawyer or actually worse. The lawyer she sent to the court on her behalf stated a lie not supported by any evidence whatsoever, and not even by the witness testimony. So this lawyer lied under the oath in the courtroom to damage the case of their own client who paid them thousands of dollars for their representation …good Lord, where were you? I had to get on scram just before Thanksgiving and stay on it all the way through the Christmas and New Years, until an uncertain date in next year. I had to cancel all my travel plans to see my family over the major holidays, it ruined me financially; needless to say it ruined my holidays. The only time she spoke to me was to let me know that my case, for various reasons got worse again -with HER REPRESENTATION-, needless to say. Her only and sole intention was to exploit and drag the case all the way to a trial, so that she could charge me hundreds of dollars per hour. My case was a misdemeanor with no injuries, no material damage, and not even enough of direct or substantial evidence of me driving under the influence. When she was asked about the expected outcome of my case, she proudly said that the initial offer was almost a year in jail, fines, etc...! She wants all her money upfront, charging almost double of what other attorneys charge for the same type of cases. I was so relieved when I finally hired another attorney. Please, do not do the same mistake I did; don't fall into the trap of her sweet talk, when she wants your money. She will take it all and make your case intentionally worse.

Susan Hartman

Replied last March 16, 2024

Hello, "Anonymous." Thank you for taking the time to write your 2nd review. Although you have a right to your opinion, I greatly disagree with your post. First off, I have many reviews, on many sites, all 5-star, but the algorithm for each decides which to post. They do not allow people to post to their own listing, so no, I did not write any of them. Unfortunately, you not only retained me, but another attorney in LA, who ended up arraigning you. Because of this, the prosecutor would not provide discovery to me until I was the attorney of record. I had an appearance attorney show to that hearing because the date picked for your first Readiness Hearing was a date cleared by your other attorney, and I was not available that day. Your court date was set for the next available court date after the holidays. I emailed you the discovery when it was provided to me and we discussed the video evidence, my request for additional discovery, and the initial offer. Then I learned you were shopping for another lawyer, making this the third one in about two months. As for the trial, it was too early in the case to even discuss if your case was ripe for trial. (By the way, I do not charge hourly; and, you only paid me half of the agreement for legal fees, which was due in full upon the first appearance in court.) My apologies that I could not fulfil your expectations and I hope you are happier with the representation of your new counsel.

Posted by Franco | August 23, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A rather special feeling

The legal outcome Susan negotiated far exceeded my expectations. I anticipated horrible penalties and instead received, comparatively speaking, a slap on the wrist. Susan made it so that this whole excruciating ordeal was merely a wake up call, a catalyst for change and growth, rather than something ...life shattering. It was a rather special feeling knowing someone of Susan's ability was advocating on my behalf. Aside from her handling of every last detail of the case (this was truly a full service experience) she kept me perfectly informed of what was to come, and where we were at with the case. All the while, she treated me with compassion, without judgement, affording me serenity during an emotionally difficult time. I was wowed by her professional skill but also by her humanity. I feel lucky to have her on my side. Thank you Susan.

See All Client Reviews

Susan L. Hartman's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Susan
Troy Michael Ortiz headshot
Troy Ortiz

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Hartman is an aggressive and impassioned advocate for her clients. Your matter could not be in better hands. I endorse this lawyer."

Keeley Canning Luhnow headshot
Keeley Luhnow

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sue is a good person and a good attorney. I'd trust her with my friends and family and I wouldn't hesitate to call her if I needed assistance for myself. You're in good hands with her."

Jeremy M. Evans headshot
Jeremy Evans

DUI and DWI lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Susan is a friend and colleague. Highly respected and a responsible attorney."

Francis Rowland Pabst headshot
Francis Pabst

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I know Sue to be an extremely dedicated advocate for her clients. Her knowledge of the law, willingness to fight and the personal care she affords each and every client makes her a valuable asset in the legal community. I would highly recommend Sue to anyone facing a legal issue."

Ryan Patrick Murphy headshot
Ryan Murphy

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse this Attorney Hartman. Over the years, I have come to respect her character and integrity in the courtroom. She is a tough litigator that knows her way around the courtroom. You cannot go wrong with Attorney Hartman on your side."

Aaron Todd Hicks headshot
Aaron Hicks

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Susan is a fabulous criminal defense lawyer in San Diego, that has the ultimate respect of prosecutors, judges and the defense bar. You can't go wrong hiring Susan."

Joshua James Price headshot
Joshua Price

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Susan is a battle tested warrior for her clients that will not back down until she flushes out all issues. She is someone that fights every step of the way and knows what she is doing. I endorse this lawyer."

Kevin C. Murphy headshot
Kevin Murphy

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Susan is a tenacious criminal defense attorney who goes the extra mile for her clients both in and out of court. We've worked together on cases in which the client's are accused of criminal misconduct and have a professional license (which our firm protects), and I have first hand knowledge of her competence and diligence!"

View All Endorsements
Virginia Louise Landry headshot
Virginia Landry

DUI and DWI lawyer

Eric Paul Ganci headshot
Eric Ganci

DUI and DWI lawyer

Abby Lynn Ertz headshot
Abby Ertz

Criminal defense lawyer

William Mathew Concidine headshot
William Concidine

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer

Troy Michael Ortiz headshot
Troy Ortiz

Unknown lawyer

Keeley Canning Luhnow headshot
Keeley Luhnow

Estate planning lawyer

Jeremy M. Evans headshot
Jeremy Evans

Unknown lawyer

Francis Rowland Pabst headshot
Francis Pabst

Criminal defense lawyer

Aaron Todd Hicks headshot
Aaron Hicks

Unknown lawyer

Joshua James Price headshot
Joshua Price

DUI and DWI lawyer

Ryan Patrick Murphy headshot
Ryan Murphy

DUI and DWI lawyer

Kevin C. Murphy headshot
Kevin Murphy

Licensing lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.9 (Excellent)

Honors

2016

Best Lawyer, Gay San Diego

2015

Certificate, DWI Detection and FST's Student Course, La Pier & Associates

2005

The Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, State Bar of California

2002

Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2002

Trustees' Scholarship, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2002

National Dean's List, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2002

Honor Roll, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2001

Trustees' Scholarship, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2001

National Dean's List, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2001

Honor Roll, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2000

National Dean's List, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

2000

Honor Roll, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

1999

Law Review, Thomas Jefferson School of Law

1996

Golden Key National Honor Society, University of New Mexico

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Owner and Managing Partner, Law Offices of Susan L. Hartman

2007 - 2008

Deputy Public Defender, Orange County Offices of the Public Defender

2004 - 2006

Sole Practioner, Susan L. Hartman, Attorney at Law

2004 - 2004

Attorney, Law Offices of Sarah W. Wellington

2004 - 2005

Attorney, Legal Aid Society Of San Diego, Inc.

2001 - 2002

Legal Intern, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program Hiv/Aids Clinic

Associations

2015 - Present

National College for DUI Defense

Member

2014 - Present

California DUI Lawyers Association

Member

2010 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2010 - Present

San Diego Criminal Defense Bar Association

Member

2007 - Present

Massachusetts Bar Association

Member

2003 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

2003 - Present

Greater San Diego Business Association

Member

2003 - Present

United States District Court for the Southern District of California

Admitted

Sample of Legal Cases

People v. J.F.

Early termination of probation and expungement granted. Client was subsequently able to enter and relocate to Canada.

People v. A.M.

Case dismissed.

People v. G.G.

Case dismissed.

People v. J.R.

Wet reckless.

People v. T.T.

Plead to wet reckless with BAC .14. No Public Work Service required.

People v. V.L.

Case dismissed.

State v. W.D.

Case dismissed and DMV APS action set aside.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1997

University of New Mexico

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
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