Susan Johnson Bates

From secretary to credentialed school teacher to commercial/instrument rated pilot to "lemon lawyer", Attorney Susan Johnson Bates has seen consumer issues from many perspectives. Her law practice in San Jose focusing on "lemon law" warranty cases, helps people help themselves as much as possible without court involvement. Ms. Bates educates her clients about the law as it pertains to their situations and better defines the issues so that her clients can negotiate a satisfactory resolution on their own. Some people prefer to have Ms. Bates handle the problem for them. Most of her clients are involved in issues around their automobiles, mobile homes, boats, or motorcycles.

Ms. Bates is active in the legal community and has served as a temporary judge for settlement conferences. She is a native of Southern California and completed her undergraduate education at Principia College in Illinois. She worked in San Diego as a secretary for a stock brokerage firm and for a space science laboratory before receiving a teaching credential in elementary education and moving to northern California. As a pilot, she holds commercial and instrument ratings and competed in the Powder Puff Derby (All Women Transcontinental Air Race) in 1971 flying a Bellanca Viking. Since 1983, she has been working as an attorney, opening her own law offices in 1988 with a focus on consumer issues.

Purpose of the firm
To provide the consumer with an efficient and effective way to enforce warranties provided by manufacturers/distributors.

To engage in the highest ethical standards with the expectancy that others will also adhere to such standards in conducting their businesses. Good business practices benefit consumer, the business and our society.

To give the consumers the tools (information) and support to protect themselves and resolve matters themselves whenever possible.