The firm is also credited with providing counsel for the worldwide announcement of the first baby born in the world as a result of in-vivo technology; overseeing the highly successful crisis management effort surrounding the first federal indictment and conviction of a U.S. hospital chain; spearheading a two-year media relations program during a highly visible legal battle between her client and one of the country's leading HMOs; providing counsel during a highly publicized sexual harassment lawsuit against one of the world's largest entertainment companies; and overseeing the crisis program surrounding alleged prescription abuse between physicians and an international celebrity. Tellem also has extensive experience in food related, pharmaceutical and corporate crises.

Tellem works closely with a number of law firms throughout the country assisting attorneys in preparing statements and message points, media training and preparing other documents on behalf of their clients in crisis. Oftentimes, Tellem is the interface between reporters and law firm clients. For more information, contact Susan Tellem, 310-313-3444; stellem@tellem.com; twitter @PRcrisis

Susan Tellem, Crisis Team Leader

Susan Tellem began her career in public relations by founding Tellem Public Relations in 1977. The company was renamed Grody/Tellem Communications in 1980 and was acquired by Saatchi & Saatchi PLC, London, in 1987. As chairman of the L.A. and San Francisco offices, Tellem spearheaded new business efforts, grew the health care division to the largest on the West Coast and headed the agency's crisis management task force. In the early 90s, Tellem served as senior vice president/managing director of the corporate and health care/biotechnology groups, Burson-Marsteller-Los Angeles, the world's largest public relations agency. She also headed the crisis management team for the West Coast.

An expert in crisis management, Tellem most recently provided communications counsel to the Santa Barbara district attorney prosecuting the Michael Jackson molestation case, billed as one of the highest profile cases of the century. She is also credited with orchestrating the worldwide announcement of the first baby born in the world as a result of in-vivo technology; a highly successful crisis management effort surrounding the first federal indictment and conviction of a U.S. hospital chain; a highly publicized sexual harassment lawsuit against one of the world's largest entertainment companies; and a variety of high profile union related crises. Tellem also served on the media advance team during Pope John Paul's visit to Los Angeles in the late 80s and was responsible for credentialing more than 3000 media representatives.

Tellem was graduated with honors from Mount St. Mary's College in Brentwood, Calif., with a bachelor's of science degree. An accredited member of Public Relations Society of America, Tellem was honored with the society's Joseph Roos Community Service Award. She is an adjunct at Pepperdine University after serving as a member of UCLA's extension faculty for 11 years. An accomplished public speaker and frequent lecturer, she recently was the sole PR practitioner on a panel of 11 media representatives sponsored by the prestigious Poynter Institute and USC Annenberg on "The Ethics of Reporting on Celebrities."

Tellem is a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; a Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer Specialist (retired); a member of the Los Angeles Medical Response Team and the Malibu Community Emergency Response Team (CERT); A Malibu Public Safety Commissioner; a member of the FBI's Infragard Program; and is an active member of many animal welfare and environmental groups. She is co-founder of a national nonprofit called American Tortoise Rescue. She is married and has raised four children.