Susan is admitted as a barrister and solicitor in New Zealand and also as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Judicature of England & Wales.

Over the last 35 years Susan has maintained a civil litigation practice with a focus on resolving claims on behalf of professionals, initially in London and since 1989 in New Zealand. She has historically acted both on behalf of insurers and insured parties including where there are disputes between those parties.

In 1996 Susan together with the late David Heaney Q.C. founded the law firm, Heaney & Co. In 2015 after retiring as Managing Partner of Heaney & Partners she set up her own legal practice in Queenstown and Auckland. Susan continues to act for clients throughout New Zealand.

Susan strives to ensure that matters are always managed in a collaborative manner with her clients, with her working as a close member of her client’s team. She approaches each matter with an emphasis on the early identification of both the legal and commercial issues to enable the path to resolution to be identified early on. This can then ensure the matter is guided towards completion quickly and cost effectively. In addition, Susan assists her professional clients in managing their risks and insurance relationships.

Susan appears in court at all levels and is a well respected litigator and negotiator.