Susan G. Ridgeway
Senior Counsel
Susan Ridgeway’s practice emphasizes civil litigation and surrogacy and reproductive donation law.
An experienced litigator in both state and federal court, Susan has helped small and large companies with their legal needs for over 25 years. Her clients include construction contractors, property developers, banks, health care providers, cryobanks, manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers. Susan has a solid record of achieving proactive and cost-efficient resolutions for her clients, both in and out of court.
A portion of Susan’s practice has been dedicated to establishing and protecting family rights. For 12 years she has provided legal services to create and protect families in assisted reproductive technology arrangements. She is recognized as a legal authority in Montana on surrogacy, reproductive donation, and parentage rights and has obtained remedies for LGBTQ+ parents and their children, including two groundbreaking Montana Supreme Court decisions.
Bar Admissions
- Montana, 1991
- Washington (inactive), 1992
- U.S. District Court, District of Montana
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Montana
Location
Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802
Education
JD: University of Montana, 1990, with honors
BA: University of Montana, 1984, History, with honors
Contact
Career Distinctions & Honors
- The Best Lawyers in America®; Family Law, 2024-2025; Commercial Litigation, 2025
- Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
- Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Civil Litigation: Defense, 2020, 2022-2024; Business Litigation, 2021
- University of Montana School of Law, Guest Lecturer, 2016-present
Professional Experience
- Partner, Axilon Law, Missoula, Montana, 2015-2021
- Solo Practitioner, Missoula, Montana, 2000-2015
- Associate Attorney, Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C., Missoula, Montana, 1995-2000
- Assistant Attorney General, State of Washington, Spokane, Washington, 1992-1995
- Judicial Law Clerk, Washington State Court of Appeals, Seattle, Washington, 1990-1992
Professional Associations
- American Bar Association, Litigation and Assisted Reproductive Technologies Groups
- American Academy of Reproductive Technology Attorneys, Fellow
- Family Law Institute of the National LGBT Bar Association
- Society for Ethical Egg Donation and Surrogacy
- State Bar of Montana
Business & Community Service
- Friends of Missoula Parks, Board Member, 2016-present
- Missoula City Parks and Recreation, Board Member, 2013-2016
- Missoula County Public Schools, Writing Coach or Policy Committee Member, 2010-2013
- Missoula Strikers Soccer Association, Team Manager, Assistant Coach, or Referee 2005-2011
- Missoula Community School, Board Member, 2001-2002
- Blue Mountain Clinic, Board Member, 1996-1999
Other Activities
- Susan enjoys cycling, mountain biking, and playing ice hockey with friends.
Blog Posts About Susan
- Eighteen Attorneys Named to 2025 Edition of “Best Lawyers In America”
- Three Recognized in 2024 Mountain States Super Lawyers List
- Seventeen Attorneys Named to 2024 Edition of “Best Lawyers In America”
- Three Honored in 2023 Mountain States Super Lawyers List
- Three Selected for 2022 Mountain States Super Lawyers List
- Hall & Evans Welcomes Susan Ridgeway