Susan Bickley

Susan Louise Bickley, cherished wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend passed away in her sleep at the age of 66 in Houston on Wednesday, the 1st of April 2026. The extraordinary loss felt by her family, friends, colleagues and community is truly indescribable. Susan always had a zest for life, a keen curiosity and eclectic interests, including nature, theater, sports, cultural history, and of course her beloved dogs, Sasha and Burrito.

Susan was born on the 2nd of May 1959, on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Dorothy Anne Bickley of Taneytown, Maryland and Dr. Harmon Charles Bickley, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan. Her parents met and married at the University of Michigan where they earned advanced degrees in Library Science and Medicine respectively.

As a child, Susan’s family moved often, living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rochester and Long Island, New York and Lexington, Kentucky. Her parents divorced and at the age of eight, Susan, her sisters and her mother settled in Arlington, Virginia in 1968. Her mother worked very hard in the Arlington County School District to provide for her young family. Susan quickly took on part of the role of caregiver to her two younger sisters, ages five and three. Her imagination and creativity flourished as she was a role model for her sisters, bringing joy and positivity into their lives in the close knit Arlington community.

Susan graduated with honors from Yorktown High School in 1977. She was a senior class officer and the first girl to compete on the boys’ tennis team. Susan left Arlington to attend college at the University of Texas where her father was a professor of pathology. Susan loved Texas and particularly the genuine friendliness of Texans. In 1981 she graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her next stop was the University of Houston Law Center where she excelled from the beginning. Susan served as a Research Editor on the Law Review and was a member of Order of the Coif.

Susan practiced as a trial lawyer at Sewell & Riggs in Houston from 1984 to 1994 when she started Houston-based litigation boutique Abrams Scott & Bickley, LLP with two of her Sewell & Riggs partners. In 2011 Susan joined Blank Rome as a partner when the firm combined with Abrams Scott & Bickley LLP. Susan played a pivotal role in building Blank Rome’s Houston office.

Over her distinguished career spanning more than forty years, Susan was recognized as a formidable trial lawyer and appellate advocate, representing a diverse range of clients in employment litigation, commercial and business disputes, trade secret matters, and the defense of claims against professionals. She was admired for her legal acumen, unwavering integrity, and commitment to excellence, earning repeated recognition by Chambers USA and The Best Lawyers in America.

Susan was a leader at Blank Rome, serving as co-chair of Blank Rome’s Houston office and holding many firmwide leadership roles, including service on the Executive Committee; Strategic Plan Implementation Committee; Nominating Committee; Pro Bono Committee; Distribution Committee; Recruiting Committee; and Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. She was also past Chair of the Blank Rome Women’s Forum.

Susan was always committed to advancing the legal profession and inspiring young lawyers. She served as an adjunct professor teaching Trial Advocacy at the University of Houston Law Center. She was a founder and contributor to the Blank Rome Energy Scholarship, awarded to University of Houston Law Center students for excellence in energy and environmental law at the Annual North American Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Conference. Her dedication to mentoring and supporting young lawyers, both in her firm and in the wider legal community will remain a lasting part of her legacy.

Susan was committed to her community. She was a past Chair of the Board of Directors of the Houston Bar Foundation and served on the Board of Directors of the University of Houston Law Foundation. She was a past Vice President and Board member of the University of Houston Law Alumni Association. She was the Chair of the Board of Directors of the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science and deeply involved in the growth and advancement of The Health Museum. As an involved member of the United Way of Greater Houston’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society, Susan served on the Steering Committee of the United Way’s Women’s Initiative and the United Way Law Initiative. She also volunteered her time with the Houston Bar Association/Communities in Schools Summer Legal Internship Program, inspiring and mentoring future generations of legal professionals. Susan was also a member of the Houston Regional Council of the Smithsonian.

Susan’s service and leadership were recognized with numerous honors throughout her career, including the Houston Bar Association’s Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Award for a record of exceptional service as a role model, mentor and advocate for women in the law and lifelong commitment to professionalism and the President’s Award from the University of Houston Law Center.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband, Robert Scott of Houston; her mother, Dorothy Anne Bickley of Falls Church, Virginia; her sister, Margaret Ann Wohler and brother-in-law Dr. Brett Alan Wohler of Alexandria, Virginia; her sister, Elizabeth Diane Malks and brother-in-law Daniel Brandt Malks of Arlington, Virginia; and nieces and nephews, Dr. Christina Margaret Wohler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Marcus Daniel Wohler of Alexandria, Virginia, Sarah Louise Malks of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jonathan Michael Malks of Seattle, Washington.

Susan was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Harmon Charles Bickley Jr. of Ludington, Michigan (2001).

A celebration of Susan’s life is to be conducted beginning at four o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 18th of April. The celebration of Susan’s life will also be livestreamed.

For information about the location of the celebration of Susan’s life and to RSVP or for livestream information, please email Julie Seifert at [email protected]

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that donations in Susan’s memory be made to Friends for Life Animal Shelter, The Health Museum, or The Smithsonian American Women’s Museum by selecting their respective link below under "Donations" or to the charitable organization of your choice.

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