Overview
A former human resources function leader and employment litigator with trial experience, Susan Kline is dedicated to helping employers take practical, effective and balanced action in HR legal matters to promote the organization’s overall business interests. Susan helps clients manage employment-related matters by providing counseling, training, and policy advice and review services on issues such as leave and disability management, workforce restructurings, human resources processes, employee discipline and discharge, and employment agreements.
Human Resources and Business Experience
Susan previously worked as a chief financial officer and vice president of human resources for a trade association and its for-profit subsidiary, which included providing human resources management support for the association's member organizations. She gained hands-on experience in such matters as supervisor training; employee performance management, discipline and discharge; employee complaint resolution, and best-practices personnel policies and procedures. In addition to her practical experience in law and HR, Susan holds a Masters of Business Administration degree and has experience as a certified public accountant.
Employment Law Compliance
Susan has assisted employers with planning and implementing large and small-scale workforce restructurings, conducting complex investigations, working through difficult issues of discipline and discharge and leave and disability management, and creating comprehensive skills development programs to help human resources professionals stay on top of their games. Susan has supported multiple large, national employers in addressing complex performance management challenges, including over 100 high-risk corrective actions and separations, involving consideration of leave and disability issues, contractual provisions, non-competition agreement restrictions, compliance concerns and threatened litigation.
Human Resources Trainer
Susan trains employers on topics such as preventing sexual harassment by maintaining a workplace environment of respect, employment law compliance for supervisors, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), workplace violence, and other hot topics in employment law.Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Indiana
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant in Indiana
Clerkships
Indiana Supreme Court, Hon. Randall T. Shepard, 2000-2002
Education
Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law
J.D. summa cum laude, Indiana Law Review (Note Editor) (2000)
Butler University
M.B.A. (1992)
Butler University
B.S. summa cum laude (1980)
Insights & Events
Latest
Insights
News
Other Perspectives
- Staying on Top of Your Game
Monthly client-specific HR legal training series covering topics such as careful communications in a litigious world; managing difficult employee behavioral issues; and wage/hour tips and traps - Managing the Hiring Process and Conducting Effective Faculty Evaluations
Council for Independent College's Conference for Department Chairs, Baltimore, May 15, 2014 - Workplace Conduct: It's All About Respect
Numerous client-specific presentations as well as 49th Annual Human Resources Conference & Expo, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis, May 2013
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Indiana CPA Society — Past President
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants — Former Board and Council Member
- Phoenix Theater, Indianapolis — Former Treasurer
Honors
- Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis — Indianapolis Frandsen Scholarship recipient and Faculty Prize recipient
- Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis — Dean's List all semesters and graduated summa cum laude with No. 1 ranking in the Class of 2000
- Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis — Order of the Barristers, 1998-99, and Chief Justice, Moot Court Society, 1999-2000