Howard to Advise Clients on Policies, Practices, and Litigation Matters

PALO ALTO, CA (February 25, 2025) — Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, is pleased to announce that Susannah Howard has joined the litigation department and employment and trade secret litigation practice. She will be based in the firm’s Palo Alto office.

Howard joins Wilson Sonsini from O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where she was a partner in the labor and employment group. With extensive experience across various areas—including drafting and enforcing employment policies and agreements, investigating employee misconduct, advising on discipline and terminations, and defending clients in complex litigation and before state and federal agencies—Howard is well-positioned to provide strategic guidance to clients facing diverse employment law challenges and opportunities.

Howard has an impressive track record defending clients in industries such as technology, private equity, financial services, and airlines, among others. Before her tenure at O’Melveny, she was a litigation associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, focusing on employment-related issues.

"Susannah has great depth in employment law matters, from complex wage-and-hour disputes to non-compete enforcement, workplace investigations, and discrimination cases," said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. "Her strategic, creative solutions and guidance on internal policies help businesses mitigate risks while promoting compliance and growth. Susannah will be a valuable addition to our expanding practice and an exceptional mentor to our next generation of talent."

Among her notable recent accomplishments, Howard successfully defended a major streaming service in a class action lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and pay equity violations, obtained summary judgment on behalf of a major technology company in a sexual harassment lawsuit, and obtained summary judgment for a global insurance provider in an employee misclassification suit. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Susannah to Wilson Sonsini," said Marina Tsatalis, partner and leader of the firm’s employment litigation practice. "A thoughtful advisor, effective advocate, and dedicated mentor, she brings extensive experience to our team. Her addition further strengthens our employment and trade secret litigation practice and will be instrumental in helping us continue to grow our practice in California."

Howard holds a J.D. from the University of Toronto, where she also earned her B.A. with distinction. She previously clerked for the Honorable Louis LeBel at the Supreme Court of Canada. Her work has earned her recognition as a “Next Generation Lawyer” in Labor and Employment by Legal 500 from 2019 to 2022, and again in 2024.

"I am delighted to join Wilson Sonsini," said Howard. "The firm offers an ideal environment for me to leverage my skills and experience in driving the continued growth of its stellar employment and trade secret litigation practice. I was drawn to Wilson Sonsini’s sophisticated and innovative approach, and I look forward to contributing to the firm’s continued success."

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on employment, antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1000 attorneys and 18 offices in 17 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, China, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.