Susan L. McCarthy

Susan L. McCarthy understands that listening to clients and looking at issues from multiple viewpoints is a pragmatic approach that produces desired outcomes for clients. A problem solver by nature, her practice focuses on business, commercial, real property, and probate and trust litigation. She has comprehensive experience in state and federal courts handling a wide array of complex litigation matters including real property title and boundary disputes, easement issues, breach of contract, landlord/tenant disputes, unfair competition, elder abuse, discrimination and wrongful termination.

Susan graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1983. She received her law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 1986 and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Central Districts of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. She practiced in Los Angeles from 1986 until 1999, when she moved to Ventura County. Early in her career, Susan gained valuable jury trial experience as a volunteer prosecutor for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

A community-minded Ventura resident, Susan has served on the board of directors of Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Inc., and of the Ventura County Bar Association. Susan was a member of the Sandpipers Toastmasters Club for many years and is a former member of Ventura County Bar Association’s Business Litigation Section Steering Committee. She has been on Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association’s board of directors since 2008, serving two terms as secretary and one term as president. She currently serves as Vice President. Susan was recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times by inclusion on its list of “Who’s Who in Professional Services in the Tri Counties” (2016 and 2025) and the “Top 50 Women in Business” (2017).

Susan has been nominated for Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Ventura County Trial Lawyers Association in honor of her exceptional advocacy in a 10-day bench trial that resulted in findings of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against an officer and former employee on behalf of her clients.

In her free time, Susan enjoys staying active by walking and hiking with her dog. She also values time spent unwinding at the beach and enjoys being outdoors whenever possible. An avid snow skier, Susan takes advantage of every opportunity to head to the mountains, embracing both adventure and balance outside of her legal practice.