Suzanne Remington – A formidable opponent & passionate advocate
In order to navigate the complex web of family dynamics, it is important to have a thorough understanding of what binds us all together. Suzanne Remington is a partner with Hellmuth & Johnson. She is a compassionate advocate and a guide in family law where emotions are high and the future of the children can be at stake.
Remington’s unwavering dedication to justice, coupled with her keen understanding of the complexities of human relationships has shown that she is more than just a family lawyer, but also a staunch ally of those who are seeking resolution during the most difficult of times.
Ever the Scholar
Remington’s fascination with the law began at a young age. Her fascination was ignited in a high school honors English course taught by a teacher who attended law school nightly.
She says, “She was an excellent teacher and my interest continued to grow in law.” “I have three brothers and sisters, and one thing that our parents taught us all was the importance education. “My twin sister and i always loved school.”
Remington excelled in math and science classes during high school. One science teacher was surprised when Remington announced that she did not plan to pursue a career in science.
She says, “I remember it so clearly.” “I told her that this would probably be my last science test. She was shocked. I told her that I was going to go to law school. “She was devastated.”
The dice was cast. Remington, a scholar at heart, completed her undergraduate studies with Indiana University in no time and entered the Loyola University Chicago School of Law. Remington, like many other new law students had no specific area in mind.
She says that family law was never on her radar. “I studied criminal justice as an undergrad, and minored in history. I was focused on justice and thought about the county attorney, other government jobs, or teaching. “I was going to save my world.”
She was happy until she met a young man. Not just “a boy”, but the man who would later become her husband, and former spouse. It is from this that she got the name of her great lawyer, Remington. It is spelled exactly like the shotgun but with just one “m”.
The U-Turn of Love
She explains, smiling: “Bill was a student in my sister’s class at medical school and had already completed the match process for residency. He was headed to Mayo Clinic in Rochester.” “We fell in Love, we got Married. I had to retake the bar exam because we moved to Rochester. “It’s funny how the universe works, because this change of plans led me to exactly where I was supposed to be.”
Remington’s quick to note that she is a feminist but also pragmatic. Bill was a resident of Rochester and she knew that she could practice anywhere. Remington, upon arriving in her hometown (remember them?) picked up a telephone book. Then, she began to flip through the section on attorneys.
She recalls, “There were no paid positions for nonprofits at the time and there was no way that an outsider such as myself could get one.” “I was reading the section about family law, and thought that it would be a good fit for me. I am all about people, and I want to build a relationship with clients. You are in court but you don’t litigate everything. You mediate, and you draft complex agreements. You can appeal to the Court of Appeals if you are in district courts. I thought it was perfect. You might think it’s strange, but I found my calling in the phone book. “That’s what it truly is for me – a calling.”
She has been practicing family law for more than 30 years. Her clients benefit from her work ethic, compassion and legal expertise.
She has appeared before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court to share her knowledge. She has a long history of representing clients before district court judges, both in metropolitan and rural areas. Remington also speaks and teaches regularly on topics such as the financial early neutral assessment, child support regulations and effective practices for divorce. She has also completed certified mediation training and earned the title of Qualified Neutral (Rule 114). She has recently joined the Court of Appeals Mediation Program.
That’s insane, but I found my calling in the phonebook. “That’s what it truly is for me, my calling.”
Full Circle
Remington says, “When I moved to the Twin Cities in Rochester at an early stage of my career, I had six year’s experience, but no clients.” “I began at the bottom. Minnesota is a difficult place for outsiders to enter because everyone seems to know each other from birth. I am the first one to admit that I don’t like Minnesota. I am not passive aggressive. I’m outspoken, and tell my clients that I’m from Chicago, not Minnesota. You will never be in doubt about my thoughts or what I am asking of you.
My colleagues teased me about how many firms I’ve worked for. I don’t see it as a bad thing because I worked with some of best family law attorneys of the Twin Cities.”
Hellmuth & Johnson is Remington’s second position in the Twin Cities. The firm had only 10 attorneys at the time. She was making a long commute, and she had heard great things about the company. She was the only female attorney at the firm.
She says, “Now there are about 20 female lawyers, but who is counting?”
Remington moved to the new job and worked for a time, but her career did not advance as she hoped.
She says, “At the time, Hellmuth & Johnson, a growing, young firm, was the only one practicing family law.” “I said yes when I received a phone call from one the best family law attorneys in the country, who invited me to join their boutique firm. The best thing I could have done at the time was to join them. “I had nothing bad say about H&J. I just felt that I needed to be out there to make myself known.”
Remington’s life seemed to be guided by fate as she came full circle.
She opened her own office in Edina, Minnesota, where she worked for 10 years. “During COVID I received a phone call from Chad Johnson. H&J’s managing director. He told me that they were re-establishing a department of family law and gave me the names of possible candidates. The short version is that I returned to H&J. Everything came together at the right time. Hellmuth & Johnson felt like home and I told myself that this is where I wanted to retire.
The Hellmuth & Johnson team of family lawyers has grown to six attorneys and two paralegals under Remington, and there are no plans to slow it down. Remington is “extremely pleased” with the growth of the department in the last two years. The future looks exciting for our firm and team, thanks to the quality and strength of the attorneys that we have now.
The Saddle
Remington’s career is demanding, but she has found the perfect remedy. She and her husband Dave Curtis are passionate horse lovers who love nothing more than to spend time with their family (5 horses and 1 donkey) and 3 dogs, and even chickens.
She says: “I did not grow up with horses, and it is very interesting to start riding at 50. But I love it.” You can learn a great deal about yourself and the human condition. I have become more patient. This has never been a strength of mine. My goal is to create a strong Family Law Department at Hellmuth & Johnson before I retire with Dave and ride horses on a ranch of 20 acres in Wyoming. I also want to mentor a young generation of attorneys to leave a legacy that will be proud.
Suzanne Remington and her husband Dave riding horses.
A Glance
Hellmuth & Johnson
8050 West 78th St
Edina, MN (55439)
(952) 941-4005
www.hjlawfirm.com
Practice Areas
- Practice Areas
- District and Appellate Courts
Education
- J.D., Loyola University Chicago School of Law 1992
- Bachelor of Arts from Indiana University, 1989
Honors
- The Best Lawyers of America, 2019-2024
- MN Super Lawyers, 2001-2023
- MN Super Lawyers, Top 100 Woman Attorneys
- Top 40 MN Family Law Lawyers
- Top Attorneys in Minnesota, 2023
- Minnesota Court of Appeals Family Law Appellate Mediator 2023
Professional Memberships
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Eighth District Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Woman Lawyers
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts
Hobbies
- Horseback riding
Families can be found in every ethnicity.
- Dave, the Husband
Favorite Quote
- Horse girls are able to deal with shit. We have walked in it, shoveled through it, landed upon it and smelt like it. That’s why we won’t tolerate yours. – Unknown.
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