About Susan Russel

Since joining the Academy as a Practice Building Consultant in 1997, Susan Russel has served as the first point of contact at the Academy for members around the country. From the moment an attorney joins the Academy, Susan works closely with them and their staff to review their business and financial goals and helps them develop a clear road map to achieve those goals.

She analyzes law firm plans and results and gives guidance on all aspects of their practice including educational training needs, staffing, business and workflow systems, and marketing and promotion systems. Because the Academy has such a vast range of services and programs available, she works with each department at the Academy (Education, Software, Web Development, Marketing, Book Publishing, and Business and Financial Analysis) to help member offices implement and plug into the full benefit of their membership.

Professional Experience

Prior to joining the Academy, Susan served as a Speaker Development Consultant with The Executive Committee (TEC, now Vistage International), an international CEO membership organization. There she spent five years recruiting, developing and scheduling professional speakers to present at monthly CEO member meetings around the country on relevant business building topics. She implemented cost containment practices and managed the department’s $600,000 annual budget. She also handled the department’s employee performance reviews, hiring decisions and resolved personnel issues.

Before joining TEC, Susan worked in the employee benefits industry for over five years. There she reviewed new benefit plans and renewal proposals with plan administrators of large and small businesses. She also advised employees on the technical aspects of health, life, disability insurance and other coverage related matters.

Susan and her husband, Dave, also own a popular restaurant called “The Menu” in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego, where she handles the marketing, bookkeeping and payroll systems.

Education

Susan attended Imperial Valley College and San Diego State University, where she majored in Business Administration. She has had extensive training and coursework in marketing, editing, copywriting, public relations, recruiting, human resources and customer service.

Personal

Born in Oregon and raised in Imperial Valley, an agricultural community in southern California, she has lived in San Diego for over 20 years. Susan and Dave enjoy the hustle and bustle of activities that go along with raising two energetic sons. After homework, sports activities and family outings Susan enjoys creating art, reading and spending time in her garden.