Suzanne L. Jones

Suzanne L. Jones is the Co-Managing Partner of the Minneapolis office. Suzanne’s practice includes representing insurance companies across the country in complex first and third-party declaratory judgment actions, breach of contract actions, rescission actions, direct actions and extra-contractual and bad faith actions. Suzanne counsels' clients on their risk and obligations under a variety of insurance policies throughout the claims process, from pre-suit demands through trial or settlement. She also handles appeals in both state and federal courts.

Suzanne’s practice also includes defending insurance agents and brokers, real estate agents, and attorneys against professional liability claims, as well as handling commercial and contract disputes.

Suzanne’s extensive experience in risk management, and her passion for horses, has developed into a sub-specialty in equine law. She counsels equine professionals, veterinarians, farm owners, trainers, and horse owners on how to best manage their risk and liability.

Prior to joining GRSM, Suzanne was a partner in the Minneapolis office of a national law firm, where she practiced for 12 years. While in law school, she was a judicial extern clerk for the Honorable Earl Carroll, U.S. District Court, Arizona during the summer of 2007 through the ABA’s JIOP program.

Admissions

• Minnesota
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
• U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
• U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Memberships

American Bar Association

• Woman Advocate Committee

Hennepin County Bar Association

• Finance & Planning Committee, 2010 – 2011
• Membership Services Committee, 2011 – 2012

Minnesota State Bar Association

• Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council

Community Involvement

• St. Thomas University Law School Alumni Association

• Insurer had no obligation to provide UIM coverage for fatal car accident because insured vehicle was not "underinsured." (North Dakota federal court, affirmed by the 8th Circuit)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for malpractice claims under professional liability policy issued to law firm based on retroactive date limitation. (Minnesota federal court)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage to perpetrator of alleged sexual assaults under professional or general liability policies. (Wisconsin state court)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for consent judgment arising out of wrongful death claims under professional liability policy issued to a clinic. (Minnesota state court)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for wrongful death claim under professional liability policy issued to adult foster care facility because "claims made and reporting" requirements were not met. (Minnesota state court, affirmed by the Minnesota Court of Appeals)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for stipulated TCPA judgment under Errors and Omissions Liability policy. (Missouri state court)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for economic loss resulting from insured's substandard work and failure to comply with a contract under a general liability policy. (Missouri federal court, affirmed by the 8th Circuit)
• Insurer had no obligation to provide coverage for underlying lawsuit because "claims made and reporting" requirements were not met in Directors and Officers policy. (Missouri federal court).
• Insurer had no obligation provide coverage for conversion and negligence claims based on wrongful repossession of vehicle. (Missouri Supreme Court)
• Attorney in underlying lawsuits did not qualify as an "insured" under Employed Lawyers Professional Liability Insurance policy. (Michigan)
• Seller’s real estate agent was not liable to buyer on failure to disclose claims in NCDS arbitration.

Media

• Featured in "Fostering a Culture of Inclusion From Coast to Coast," Attorney at Law Magazine, Minnesota Edition, Vol. 11, No. 11, November 2022

Publications

• Co-Author, "Transferring Your Equine Liability Risk to Another Party," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 3, March 2018; republished by Farm Forum, March 19, 2018
• Co-Author, "Limiting Your Equine Liability Under Minnesota Law," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 2, February 2018; republished by Farm Forum, February 5, 2018
• Co-Author, "Understanding Minnesota's Equine Liability Statute," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Newsletter, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 2018; republished by Farm Forum, January 8, 2018
• Co-Author, "Settling with Limited Funds," Insurance Coverage Litigation, American Bar Association, August 1, 2012

Presentations

• Moderator, “Be Prepared: Recent Trends and Significant Developments in Insurance  Coverage for LPL Claims,” Legal Malpractice & Risk Management (LMRM) Conference in Chicago, Illinois, March 4, 2020.
• Co-Presenter, "Terminating the Duty to Defend: Can the Insurer Extinguish the Duty by Settling Less Than All Claims?," Strafford CLE webinar, April 3, 2019
• Co-Presenter, "Equine Law 101: Understanding Equine Activity Liability & Minimizing Risk," University of Minnesota Equine Extension Program Webinar, March 20, 2018

Education

J.D., St. Thomas University School of Law, 2008

B.A., Political Science, Boston College, 2005

Honors

Recognized by Law360 as a "Top Attorney Under 40" in 2016 in the practice of Insurance. Law360 recognized 179 attorneys across the country under the age of 40 based on "career accomplishments" that "belie their age."

Recognized as a "Rising Star" by Minnesota Super Lawyers magazine, 2015 – 2018

Best Lawyers in America® distinction in Insurance Law (2024)