Women Criminal Defense Attorneys: Susan Van Dusen in Trial in One of Detroit’s Biggest Public Corruption Cases

In the Eastern District of Michigan a high profile public corruption case is being tried: United States v. Kilpatrick et al.  One of our very own powerhouse women criminal defense attorneys, Susan Van Dusen from Miami, Florida is braving the cold in Detroit to represent Bobby Ferguson. Ferguson is being tried with ex-mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in a multi-count Indictment which includes charges of  Racketeering, Bribery, Interference with Commerce by threat or violence, and Money Laundering.

If you don’t know Susan Van Dusen, she has been a criminal defense attorney for over 30 years and been involved with some of this country’s biggest trials including John Gotti’s.  When Susan first joined the Ferguson defense team the media couldn’t help but print that John Gotti’s lawyer was joining the Ferguson team and the Detroit Free Press quoted NACDL past President Albert Krieger as saying "It's probably the smartest thing he's done in his life," …"I've known Susan for over 30 years.... She has participated in some of the heaviest trials. I've said on many occasions her IQ is like a telephone number, which probably says it all."  (The full article is here.)

The trial started in September and is expected to last for over four months. There has been daily media coverage of the trial, with some publications even providing a blow by blow account of what is happening inside the courtroom, with details like Mr. Ferguson blowing his lawyer Susan a kiss. Many of Susan’s cross examinations have been reported. What comes out loud and clear in the media, regardless of some of the obviously government bent tones, is that Susan Van Dusen is at the top of our field and does not back down from a fight. This is a trial certainly worth following and I’ll keep you posted.