Originally published in Arcadia News
Many people start college and don’t have a clue what they want to do for a living. Susie Ingold was not one of those people. The third-generation Arizona native always wanted to be an attorney and started preparing herself along the way.
“I knew I would be a lawyer, so much so that I didn’t even have a backup plan,” Ingold laughed.
After attending Stephens College in Missouri, she pursued interdisciplinary studies, believing they would be foundational for law school. That proved true and Ingold excelled at the University of Arizona Law School. She clerked in Maricopa County Superior Court and then began working at Burch & Cracchiolo immediately upon graduation.
Ingold specializes in labor and employment law and business litigation and has worked for her firm for 27 years. She quickly rose in the ranks to partner, then vice-president and just last year was elected president, making her the first woman to lead the 54-year-old law firm.
“I love the practice of law and especially practicing it at my firm,” Ingold said. “Though it’s demanding, it’s also gratifying because it feels good to deliver successful outcomes for my clients. That’s the real reward.”
As a litigator and trial lawyer, she has successfully defended corporations, employers and executives in jury trials in state and federal courts. She estimates that she has tried and won 20 cases in her career.
When Ingold isn’t juggling clients or managing the firm, you may find her hiking the trails of Piestewa Peak, Camelback Mountain or Shaw Butte.
“I just love being outside, hiking and enjoying our wonderful sunshine,” she said, “and even better that I can enjoy it with my husband, Randy.”
Ingold and Randy were high school sweethearts and they have been together 35 years. Second only to him is her love of tennis.
“I play for fun, compete in a league and watch it whenever I can. When I’m playing, I can think of nothing else and it’s glorious. Being active is when I feel most alive,” Ingold said.
Her other passion is reserved for animals – the furry, cuddly kind. She is a long-time member of the Arizona Humane Society Board of Directors and has participated in many of their service projects and major fundraisers.
“I’m passionate about animal welfare and always have been,” Ingold said. “Compassion for pets and animals is in my DNA.”
Asked to reveal something about herself that nobody would know, Ingold mentions a year-long stint as a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines.
“I got to travel all around the country, meeting some really interesting people, and earning the money that I needed for law school,” she said. “I had a blast.”
Ingold says her greatest joys are the people in her life, the partners in her firm, and her life partner.
“Randy is an amazing man and a wonderful husband. He makes me want to be better in so many ways.”
Hard to understand in just how many ways Ingold could be better.