Susan M. Robinson, Of Counsel | Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC

Attorneys Susan M. Robinson | Of Counsel

Susan's legal practice at Thomas Combs & Spann centers around complex civil litigation, including product liability and toxic torts, and federal criminal defense. Since returning to private practice in 2012, Susan has represented product and pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in an array of cases in state and federal courts and has been actively involved in multidistrict litigation.

Susan is a former Assistant United States Attorney and Chief of the White Collar Crimes Section having served 17 years prosecuting complex financial fraud, political corruption, environmental and mine safety cases. She has tried nearly 20 federal criminal trials and has argued before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Both her private and appointed clients in criminal defense work are uniquely benefitted by Susan's experience and understanding of the federal grand jury and criminal system. During her tenure as a federal prosecutor, Susan successfully convicted banking insiders for a wide range of crimes associated with the failure of the First National Bank of Keystone and its securitization program that caused a staggering loss of over $800 million to the FDIC Insurance Fund. Susan was lead trial counsel in two lengthy trials arising out of the investigation, and successfully argued the cases on appeal. Her other notable prosecutions include the convictions of five Kenyan nationals for international fraud and money laundering that resulted in losses in the millions to state governments; and, two unrelated Hobbs Act extortion convictions of a sitting West Virginia State Senator and an Assistant State Superintendent of Schools.

In 2018, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed Susan to serve on the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Criminal Rules.

Since 2018, Susan has been recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of White-Collar Criminal Defense.

Membership:
Federal Criminal Judicial Panel Advisory Committee, 2016-2021
Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Recognition:
The Best Lawyers in America® - 2024 Lawyer of the Year - Criminal Defense: White Collar
Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award

Professional Background:
Goodwin & Goodwin, 1989 - 94
United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia, 1994 - 2012

Contact:

P O Box 3824
Charleston, WV 25338
Direct Dial: 304-414-1808
Download Susan's VCard

Education & Honors:

West Virginia University, B.A., 1986
magna cum laude
West Virginia University College of Law, J.D., 1989
Order of the Coif
West Virginia Law Review, 1987-89
Lead Articles Editor, 1988-89