Susan S. Box

Susan is an experienced trial attorney who defends clients in complex disputes, including product liability, premises liability, and toxic tort litigation. She represents manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of a variety of products. 

For more than 20 years, she has defended manufacturers and industrial companies in asbestos-related litigation in Ohio and across the country. For several clients, she has developed and implemented cohesive and streamlined defense plans to maximize the clients’ resources while resolving cases efficiently and effectively through settlement or trial. She has acted as lead counsel and assisted clients with trials in 11 states. 

Clients rely on Susan’s tenacious and pragmatic approach when defending their rights and positions. They depend on her deep and broad knowledge of their products and history and her comprehensive understanding of the product liability landscape, and they count on her to keep them informed of both good and bad news. In one lawsuit, Susan’s detailed knowledge of the design, operation, and regulation of a particular client’s product and the facilities in which they operated allowed her to effectively and strategically cross-examine a party and refute the claims being asserted, resulting in the dismissal of the Complaint in its entirety. 

In addition to her work in asbestos litigation, Susan has a vibrant product liability practice defending machinery manufacturers – makers of pumps, shears, shredders, cranes, and presses – in state, regional, and national lawsuits. She also represents clients in the vaping and e-cigarette industries.

In recognition of her many accomplishments, Susan has been listed by select peer review organizations, which include The Best Lawyers in America®, Ohio Super Lawyers magazine, and Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory.

Experience

Services

• Liability Defense
• Product Liability & Mass Torts

Industries

• Manufacturing

1. The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, J.D.
2. The Ohio State University, B.S.
   • summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

1. Ohio

Court Admissions

1. U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
2. U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio

• AV® Preeminent™ rating from Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory
• Named the Product Liability Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" for Akron by The Best Lawyers in America® (2014, 2022)
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America® for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants & Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2009-2024); Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2023-2024)
• Selected as an "Ohio Super Lawyer" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2010-2020)
• Selected as one of the "Top 50 Female Lawyers in Ohio" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2013 & 2014)
• Selected as one of the "Top 25 Female Lawyers in Cleveland" by Ohio Super Lawyers magazine (2013-2014)
• Leadership Akron (1992)

Professional Affiliations

• Akron Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Ohio State Bar Association
• Order of the Barristers

Community Affiliations

• Western Reserve Girl Scout Council (now known as Girl Scouts of North East Ohio), Board of Trustees and Vice President (1998-2004)