more about susan motley
SUSAN MOTLEY is a lawyer and leader who helps people, solves problems, and builds community. She grew up in Irving, where she later raised a family, and has lived in Irving for 35 years. She’s had a good life, but not an easy one. She began working at 13, graduated from Nimitz High School in 1988, and unexpectedly lost her mom a year later. She married young, worked her way through school, became a mom to twin girls, and started law school the same year. In her first two years as a lawyer, she had another daughter and son. After being inspired to be a lawyer while working as a law firm receptionist, she built a successful career in private law firms, non-profits and government. Motley now works at the Texas Fifth District Court of Appeals. Before joining the court, Susan spent more than 20 years handling civil trials and appeals in state and federal court, where she represented workers, businesses, labor unions, and people with serious injuries and disabilities. Susan and her husband have five children. The four youngest graduated from MacArthur High School between 2012 and 2018.
EDUCATION
• Honors Graduate and Class Officer, Chester W. Nimitz High School, Irving, TX (1988)
• B.A. (political science, magna cum laude), College of Charleston, Charleston, SC (1993)
• J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX (1997)
CURRENT CAREER & COMMUNITY SERVICE
• Staff Attorney, Fifth District Court of Appeals
• President, Irving Heritage Society
• Secretary, Irving Veterans Memorial Park Committee
• Member, Irving-Carrollton Branch NAACP
PRIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE & AWARDS
• High-Spirited Citizen Award, Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau (2023)
• Past President (2019-21) and Secretary (2023), League of Women Voters of Irving
• Recipient, President’s Award, Irving-Carrollton Branch of the NAACP (2015)
• Board Member, Irving Advisory Committee on Disabilities (2010-12)
• Board Member, Irving Parks & Recreation Board (2011-13)
CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS
• AV-Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America (2006-10) and as a Texas Super Lawyer (14 years total)
• Fellow, The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation and Dallas Bar Foundation
• Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation
• Co-Recipient, Dallas Bar Association Jo Anna Moreland Committee Chair of the Year Award
VOLUNTEER WORK
• Executive Board Member, National Employment Lawyers Association (2017-19)
• Executive Council Member, State Bar of Texas Labor & Employment Section (2011-19)
• President, Texas Employment Lawyers Association (2015-17), Board Member (2003-07, 2012-19)
• Board Member, Dallas Trial Lawyers Association (2019)
• Co-Chair, Dallas Bar Association Pro Bono Activities Committee (2013)
PRIOR CAREER ROLES
• Partner, Wood Weatherly Trial Law, Denton, TX (2015-19)
• Managing Attorney, Disability Rights Texas, Dallas, TX (2008-15)
• Owner, Law Office of Susan Motley, P.C., Dallas, TX (2007-08)
• Shareholder, Gillespie, Rozen, Watsky, Motley, & Jones, P.C., Dallas, TX (2004-2006)
• Associate Attorney, Gillespie, Rozen & Watsky, P.C., Dallas, TX (1997-2004)
