
Suzanne Bernard Merrick, Civil Rights Attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Over 40 years of legal practice · focused on Civil Rights, Employment, and General · 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
PartneratThomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP
Pittsburgh, PA
Practicing civil rights in Pittsburgh since 1986.
- 40+
- Years practicing
- 4.4 ★
- 1 client review
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you Suzanne Bernard Merrick?
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Quick answer
Suzanne Bernard Merrick is a partner based in Pittsburgh, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and General. Suzanne has over 40 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Experience
- over 40 years
- Known for
- Civil Rights · Employment · General
- Handles Civil Rights, Employment, and General matters from Pittsburgh, PA.
- Over 40 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with BV Distinguished.
About Suzanne Bernard Merrick: Suzanne Bernard Merrick is a partner based in Pittsburgh, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and General. Suzanne has over 40 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Legal matters Suzanne takes on
Suzanne concentrates on civil rights, employment, general, and insurance. Each area below outlines the kind of case Suzanne handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Civil Rights
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Employment
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General
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Insurance
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Civil Rights cases in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Suzanne takes civil rights matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Suzanne agrees to represent you.
Employment cases in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Suzanne takes employment matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Suzanne agrees to represent you.
General cases in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Suzanne takes general matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Suzanne agrees to represent you.
Insurance cases in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Suzanne takes insurance matters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Suzanne agrees to represent you.
Biography
Meet Suzanne Bernard Merrick — civil rights lawyer in Pittsburgh
Suzanne Bernard Merrick is a partner based in Pittsburgh, PA. The practice focuses on Civil Rights, Employment, and General. Suzanne has over 40 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP. Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Suzanne Bernard Merrick is a lawyer practicing liability defense, general liability, governmental entity & civil rights and 2 other areas of law. Suzanne received a B.A. degree from University of Notre Dame in 1981, and has been licensed for 40 years. Suzanne practices at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP in Pittsburgh, PA.
Suzanne's approach to civil rights cases
Suzanne Bernard Merrick is a lawyer practicing liability defense, general liability, governmental entity & civil rights and 2 other areas of law. Suzanne received a B.A. degree from University of Notre Dame in 1981, and has been licensed for 40 years. Suzanne practices at Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP in Pittsburgh, PA.
The kind of cases Suzanne takes
Suzanne reviews new inquiries case-by-case for civil rights, employment, and general matters in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Pennsylvania area.
Credentials
Education, bar admissions, and languages
Notre Dame Law School
J.D. · 1986
University of Notre Dame
B.A. English · 1981
Jurisdictions
Suzanne's state bar admissions
U.S. Supreme Court
2000 · ACTIVE
Pennsylvania
1986 · ACTIVE
Western District of
1986 · ACTIVE
Suzanne studied at J.D. in Notre Dame Law School and B.A. English in University of Notre Dame.
Law school and academic background
Suzanne completed J.D. in Notre Dame Law School and B.A. English in University of Notre Dame. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Suzanne runs in Pennsylvania is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Recognition and thought leadership
Suzanne has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
BV Distinguished
Legal awards and honors
BV Distinguished.
Affiliations
Suzanne's professional memberships and bar associations
Professional Associations & Memberships Allegheny County Bar Association Appointed Councilmember, ACBA Federal Court Section Pennsylvania Defense Institute Federal Bar Association
membership
Locations
Suzanne Bernard Merrick's office in Pittsburgh
Suzanne's primary office is at 525 William Penn Place, 37th Floor, Suite 3750, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Thomas, Thomas & Hafer LLP
525 William Penn Place, 37th Floor, Suite 3750
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Open in Google MapsClient feedback
Client reviews of Suzanne Bernard Merrick — 4.4/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of Suzanne. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing civil rights attorneys in Pittsburgh.
4.4
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Suzanne Bernard Merrick claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire Suzanne Bernard Merrick — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new civil rights attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Suzanne usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
Suzanne charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Suzanne'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; Suzanne will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a civil rights attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
A short list to run through before you commit: How many civil rights 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 Suzanne
Suzanne discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in civil rights practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every civil rights 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. Suzanne confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
Suzanne's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many civil rights practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about Suzanne Bernard Merrick
How much does it cost to hire Suzanne for a civil rights case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Suzanne walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Suzanne offer a free consultation?
Suzanne charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Suzanne's office. Some civil rights attorneys offer free consults — check Suzanne's current terms during booking.
How long do civil rights cases in Pennsylvania typically take?
Simple civil rights 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. Suzanne gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Suzanne take my case if I'm outside Pittsburgh?
Suzanne is licensed in Pennsylvania. Matters governed by Pennsylvania law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Suzanne 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 Suzanne?
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. Suzanne will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Suzanne accepting new civil rights clients right now?
Suzanne's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Civil Rights attorneys serving Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania
Suzanne handles civil rights matters throughout Pennsylvania. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified civil rights attorneys in that community.
More counsel
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If Suzanne's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these civil rights attorneys in Pittsburgh handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.

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