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also known as Sue Hartman
Aggressive, accessible, exclusively DUI defense attorney. Rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and 5-Stars on Yelp and Facebook.
Susan L. Hartman, Esq. is a Connecticut native who attended the University of New Mexico for her undergraduate degree. She earned a Bachelor in Arts degree in Criminology, with a minor in Sociology, with a 3.52 GPA. Then, in 1998, she moved to San Diego to attend law school at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, were she graduated Cum Laude in December 2002.
Following graduation from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, Susan opened her own office with a focus on estate planning. A few years later she was offered a position as a Deputy Public Defender in Orange County, where she practiced as a trial attorney. In 2010, after her tenure as a public defender, she reopened her practice, exclusively defending individuals accused of DUI in the San Diego area.
1
Practice Area
17 years | 300 cases
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
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Chat withState: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
State: California
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
8880 Rio San Diego Dr., Suite 800; PMB 846, San Diego, CA, 92108
Showing 1 - 5 of 27 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sja-nal | December 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney
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...
Posted by Olivia | September 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney
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...
Posted by Justin | December 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney
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
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...
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
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 ...
"Ms. Hartman is an aggressive and impassioned advocate for her clients. Your matter could not be in better hands. I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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!"
DUI and DWI lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Unknown lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Licensing lawyer
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
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
2015 - Present
National College for DUI DefenseMember
2014 - Present
California DUI Lawyers AssociationMember
2010 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2010 - Present
San Diego Criminal Defense Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2003 - Present
Greater San Diego Business AssociationMember
2003 - Present
United States District Court for the Southern District of CaliforniaAdmitted
Early termination of probation and expungement granted. Client was subsequently able to enter and relocate to Canada.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed.
Wet reckless.
Plead to wet reckless with BAC .14. No Public Work Service required.
Case dismissed.
Case dismissed and DMV APS action set aside.
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
BA - Bachelor of Arts
English