Susan L. Racey

Susan L. Racey is a Partner in the Cleveland office of Tucker Ellis & West LLP. Susan focuses her practice in the areas of estate and business succession planning, probate and trust administration, charitable giving, taxation, guardianships and equine law. In addition, Susan enjoys a reputation as a respected advocate in the specialized area of probate litigation.

Susan specializes in designing estate plans through the use of wills, trusts, limited liability companies, family limited partnerships and other vehicles. She handles probate administration of estates and guardianships of all sizes, as well as litigation involving contested matters in the probate courts. She frequently advises individuals and charities on the issues of charitable giving.

Susan has lectured on a wide variety of estate planning and probate topics and served as the Chairman for the Estate Planning Institute in 2003. She is a member of several professional organizations including the Ohio State Bar Association, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Estate Planning Council and serves on the planned giving committee for Case Western Reserve University. In 2005, Susan was elected as a fellow in the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel and certified as a specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the Ohio State Bar Association. She was designated one of Ohio’s “Super Lawyers” by Cincinnati Magazine and Ohio Super Lawyers Magazine for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, an honor only five percent of Ohio attorneys receive. Susan has also been named one of The Best Lawyers in America® in the area of Trusts and Estates in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.

Recent Publications

"Are You Smarter than an Estate Planner?", Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal, Vol. 1 No. 15, June 2009

Civic & Professional Involvement

American College of Trust & Estate Counsel, Fellow
Case Western Reserve University School of Law, Planned Giving Committee
Certified as a Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section, Speakers Chair (2005), Treasurer (2006), Secretary (2007), Vice-Chair (2008), and Chair (2009)
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Trustee (2010-2011)
Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, Communications & PR Committee, Co-Chair (2010-2011)
Cuyahoga County Bar Association, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee Member (2006-2007)
Estate Planning Institute, Chairman (2003)
Estate Planning Institute Curriculum Committee (1999-Present)
Estate Planning Council

Awards & Professional Recognition

Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register Preeminent Women Lawyers (2011)
Ohio Super Lawyer® (2006-2011)
Best Lawyers in America® (2008-2012)

Full Bio

Service Areas

Industries Represented

• Accounting Firms
• Civic Organizations
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Private Households & Individuals
• Professional Organizations
• Real Estate
• Religious Organizations