Susan M. Narimatsu
Living Without Limits
Susan M. Narimatsu, a partner with the law office of Vito P. LoVerde in the Chicago area, knows no bounds. Throughout World War II, Narimatsu's parents were held in an internment camp for Japanese Americans in California. After their release, they relocated to the Midwest, where they were determined to pursue success at all costs. In this mission, they included their children.
Before she entered law school, Narimatsu enjoyed a fulfilling career as a healthcare professional. With a bachelor's of science in nursing from the University of Illinois and a master's of science from Northern Illinois University, the Windy City native worked as a clinical supervisor in several critical care units at different hospitals around town. "I was in management but didn't want to go any further in hospital administration," says Narimatsu. "I was looking for new challenges, so I asked myself, 'Do I need to look outside of nursing to fulfill my ambitions?' "
In 1988, Narimatsu changed careers. She enrolled as a full-time student at DePaul University College of Law, earning her juris doctorate with honors in three life-changing years.
"Going back to school was not an easy transition," says Narimatsu. "My peers in law school, and later as a new associate, were mostly those who had taken the more traditional path and started a year or two after college. My generational peers were the professors and partners."
In time, Narimatsu assembled an eclectic group of friends by focusing on what she had in common with her classmates and colleagues rather than the age difference, a concept that would come in handy later in her diversity work with attorneys.
After graduating, Narimatsu considered criminal law, but chose the civil area instead and went to work in Chicago at a boutique litigation firm. According to Narimatsu, her years as a nurse have served her well in the legal profession; especially in juggling different disciplines and dealing with people, citing that healthcare professionals are no different than business clients or other attorneys.
Earlier this year, Narimatsu joined the young firm where she now works. She and partner Vito P. LoVerde represent corporate clients in matters in which employees and/or third parties have committed or have been victims of criminal acts on the corporation's premises. These matters may involve murder, sexual or physical assault, extortion, malicious prosecution, or false imprisonment, and carry with them the potential for high exposure and significant adverse publicity. To avoid the public forum of traditional litigation, clients often look to Narimatsu and her partner for their particular expertise in alternative dispute resolution options. The firm's practice areas also include general civil litigation and business counseling for individuals and corporations.
Prior to returning to private practice, Narimatsu was associate general counsel at Sears, Roebuck & Co. Throughout her five-and-a-half years at Sears, Narimatsu's responsibilities included managing the company's security and loss prevention matters, toxic tort, product liability, general liability, and insurance coverage litigation. For nearly half that time, she was chair of its Diversity Committee.
"When I took over the committee, much of the groundwork had been laid with respect to developing a philosophy, organizing a committee, and communicating our diversity commitment to outside counsel," says Narimatsu. "I took it to the next step by refining communications from the committee, collaborating with the corporate diversity department, developing an internship program for first year law students, and providing educational programs within the legal department." Narimatsu is also a former member of MCCA's board of directors.
Had Narimatsu entered the legal profession earlier, she thinks she might have established different goals, but regarding her path, she holds no regrets. "Throughout my career, I've worked hard to make opportunities happen."
Patrick Folliard is a freelance writer based in Silver Spring, MD.
From the September/October 2006 issue of Diversity & The Bar®