Photo credit: Eric Arbiter
ICSOM welcomes its new General Counsel, Susan Martin, of the Phoenix firm Martin & Bonnett, PLLC. Susan is well known to our field, having served as counsel to and chief negotiator for numerous ICSOM orchestras over many years. At last summer’s ICSOM Conference in Houston, Ms. Martin gave a well-received presentation on the new healthcare legislation and its potential impact on collective bargaining. She brings a wealth of experience to her new position with ICSOM.
Upon her appointment, Susan had the following to say: “I am so pleased to have the opportunity to work with ICSOM and its dynamic leadership at this critical juncture for all employees in the arts industry and elsewhere. After working at the bargaining table with many of the member orchestras, I relish the challenge of providing advice and assistance for the benefit of all constituents and the organization as a whole. I look forward to getting to know and work with you all in the coming months and thank you for your confidence and support.”
Susan received her law degree from New York University School of Law and is admitted to the bars of New York and Arizona. Ms. Martin has appeared before many federal trial and appellate courts in a wide variety of employment, labor, pension, and employee benefits cases. As lead counsel in numerous successful class action suits, her work has benefitted many thousands of employees and retirees. Susan is the Union/Employee co-chair of the ABA Labor Section’s Employee Rights & Responsibilities Committee and is also active in other bar associations, including the Federal Bar Association, the Arizona State Bar Association, the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee, and the Arizona Employment Lawyers Association. Ms. Martin has taught and lectured extensively on ERISA and labor and employment law. Her practice has roots that can be traced all the way back to ICSOM’s first counsel, I. Phillip Sipser.
As ICSOM General Counsel, Susan will work closely with the Governing Board on all aspects of ICSOM’s day-to-day activities. In addition to participating in regular Governing Board conference calls and other meetings, Ms. Martin will help guide ICSOM and its member orchestras into the future by writing articles for Senza Sordino and participating at annual ICSOM Conferences. Ms. Martin will also be available to give advice to ICSOM delegates and orchestra committees concerning special situations that may arise. Contact information for Ms. Martin is listed in Senza Sordino’s masthead.
Michael G. Okun, who has been serving as ICSOM’s interim counsel, will continue to have an ongoing relationship with ICSOM. He has accepted an appointment as Special Counsel to the Governing Board. Mike will be working with Susan to help create a smooth transition for the incoming counsel and will also continue to be available for special projects that may arise.
The Governing Board is pleased to have the opportunity to work with both Susan and Mike. We all look forward to the valuable legal services they will provide to the Governing Board, our member orchestras, and our musicians.
