Susan E. Brice, Environmental Attorney in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago, IL
Trusted environmental attorney serving Chicago.
Practices in
Are you Susan E. Brice?
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Quick answer
Susan E. Brice is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Environmental. Currently practicing at Nijman Franzetti LLP.
- Based in
- Chicago, ILLINOIS
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Environmental
- Handles Environmental matters from Chicago, ILLINOIS.
- Recognized with Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026).
About Susan E. Brice: Susan E. Brice is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Environmental. Currently practicing at Nijman Franzetti LLP.
Areas of practice
Susan's practice areas in Chicago
Susan concentrates on environmental. Each area below outlines the kind of case Susan handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Environmental cases in Chicago, Illinois
Susan takes environmental matters in Chicago, Illinois. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Susan agrees to represent you.
Biography
Susan E. Brice, environmental attorney serving Chicago
Susan E. Brice is an attorney based in Chicago, ILLINOIS. The practice focuses on Environmental. Currently practicing at Nijman Franzetti LLP. Susan works from Chicago, Illinois and takes on environmental matters across the region.
Susan E. Brice is a bold litigator, advocate, and advisor with 30 years of experience specializing in environmental law, toxic tort, and product liability defense work. After departing Big Law, where she served in leadership roles, she joined Nijman Franzetti LLP, an all-women owned business savvy boutique in 2020. Over the years, she has worked on significant matters involving at least nineteen states and the Virgin Islands. She has experience in all major aspects of environmental law, taking cases to trial or to hearing that involve the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, RCRA, and the Illinois Environmental Protection Act. She also defends companies in Clean Air Act disputes as well as toxic tort and product liability litigation involving a wide range of chemicals. She particularly excels at working with scientific experts, fluently translating complex science to judges and juries and dismantling experts on the other side, including through the use of Daubert and Frye motions. She collaborates regularly with toxicologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, modelers, and environmental engineers, including using her niche expert experience to work as part of a team with other firms on very large matters.
She has defeated USEPA in federal court and recently won a case of first impression whereby the State of Illinois was forced to reimburse her client for CERCLA remediation costs via state law. One of her large manufacturing clients recently said in a review of Ms. Brice that Susan’s “tenacity and persistence” in finding the weaknesses in her opponent’s case is “really remarkable” and that Susan “has a sharp mind and definitely the lawyer you want on your side as an in-house counsel rather than the lawyer you may face on the other side.”
Susan is a co-author of “Using Genetic Evidence to Defend Toxic Tort Actions,” documenting a cutting-edge means to boost precision in exposure and causation science, which was published in the Journal of Intellectual Property and Technology Law.
She has been recognized as a leader in her field by many publications, including Who’s Who of America and Best Lawyers since 2013.
Susan's approach to environmental cases
Susan E. Brice is a bold litigator, advocate, and advisor with 30 years of experience specializing in environmental law, toxic tort, and product liability defense work. After departing Big Law, where she served in leadership roles, she joined Nijman Franzetti LLP, an all-women owned business savvy boutique in 2020. Over the years, she has worked on significant matters involving at least nineteen…
The kind of cases Susan takes
Susan reviews new inquiries case-by-case for environmental matters in Chicago and the surrounding Illinois area.
Credentials
Credentials — where Susan studied and practices
Georgetown University
— · 1995
Northwestern University
—
Susan studied at — in Georgetown University and — in Northwestern University.
Law school and academic background
Susan completed — in Georgetown University and — in Northwestern University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Susan runs in Illinois is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Susan's legal honors and published work
Susan has received 5 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Food and Beverage Law
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Mediation
2026
Legal awards and honors
Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Food and Beverage Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Mediation (2026).
Locations
Susan E. Brice's office in Chicago
Susan's primary office is at 10 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3400, Chicago, Illinois, 60603. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Nijman Franzetti LLP
10 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3400
Chicago, Illinois 60603
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Client reviews of Susan E. Brice
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire Susan E. Brice — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new environmental attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Susan usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Susan charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Susan's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Susan will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a environmental attorney in Chicago, Illinois
A short list to run through before you commit: How many environmental matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Susan
Susan discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in environmental practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every environmental matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Susan confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Susan's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many environmental practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Susan E. Brice
How much does it cost to hire Susan for a environmental case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Susan walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Susan offer a free consultation?
Susan charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Susan's office. Some environmental attorneys offer free consults — check Susan's current terms during booking.
How long do environmental cases in Illinois typically take?
Simple environmental matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Susan gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Susan take my case if I'm outside Chicago?
Susan is licensed in Illinois. Matters governed by Illinois law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Susan will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Susan?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Susan will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Susan accepting new environmental clients right now?
Susan's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Environmental attorneys serving Chicago, Springfield and Northbrook in Illinois
Susan handles environmental matters throughout Illinois. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified environmental attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated environmental attorneys in Illinois
If Susan's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these environmental attorneys in Chicago handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.





