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.

Practice Areas

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

ridgeways@hallevans.com

More About
Susan

Resume

Linkedin

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

T. Thomas Singer

Of Counsel

Tom Singer was raised in northern Wyoming and educated in Montana and Massachusetts.  After law school, he returned west, where he worked for the Wyoming Legislature, managed a congressional campaign in eastern Washington, and taught at Gonzaga Law School before settling in Billings.  For the last 35 years, Tom has been defending transportation companies and product manufacturers, and counseling and representing businesses and individuals through employment and business litigation.

Tom speaks regularly at seminars hosted by the International Association of Defense Counsel, the State Bar of Montana, and other organizations.  He is known for incorporating game theory, neuroscientific research, and karaoke into presentations about legal ethics and trial advocacy, and he also enjoys expostulating about employment law, covenants not to compete, product liability, and civil procedure.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1985
  • Wyoming, 1978
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: Harvard University Law School, 1978, cum laude
BA: Eastern Montana College, 1975, Speech Communications and Theater Arts
AA: Northwest College, 1973, Communications

Contact

singert@hallevans.com

More About
Thomas

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, 2021-2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Employment Law-Management; Litigation-Labor and Employment; Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2008-2025
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation, 2008-2024
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of The Year” in Billings, MT for Employment Law-Management, 2022
  • Best Lawyers®, “Lawyer of The Year” in Billings, MT for Product Liability Litigation-Defendants, 2016, 2019
  • Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America, 2008-present; Barrister, Order of Juris; Advocate, Order of Certus
  • George L. Bousilman Professionalism Award, State Bar of Montana, 2002
Professional Associations
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, 1999-present
  • State Bar of Montana, Professionalism Committee, 1992-present; Chair 1998-2004
Business & Community Service
  • Riverstone Health Clinic Board of Directors, 2010-present; Chair, 2018-2021
  • Billings Symphony Artistic Advisory Committee, Chair, 2005-present
  • Billings Symphony’s “Concert Cues,” Host, 2015-present
  • Northwest College Alumni Association, Board Member, 1996-present; Chair, 2017-2019
  • Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Former Director
  • Billings Depot, Inc., Former Director
  • Billings Preservation Society, Former Director
  • Red Lodge Music Festival, Former Director
  • NAMI-Billings, Former Director
  • Tumbleweed Runaway Program, Former Director
  • Billings Studio Theatre, Former Director
Other Activities
  • In his spare time, Tom likes to read, hike, ride bikes, paddle rivers, act in community theatre productions, play guitar, and sing with the Symphony Chorale and other ensembles. He lives in Billings with his wife, a retired school psychologist and transition coach. They have four grown children and four grandchildren.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “Ain’t It a Shame (How Discrimination Law Perpetuates Inequality),” ALFA International’s Virtual International Client Seminar, March 2021
  • Presenter, “It’s How You Tell the Tale,” ALFA International Webinar, July 2020
  • Speaker, “Condemned if You Do, Doomed if You Don’t – Advocating in the Age of Social Media,” ALFA International’s 2020 International Client Seminar, March 2020
  • Speaker, “Safe Spaces at Work: Bullying, Intimidation, Firearms, and Threats of Violence,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2019
  • Program Chair, “The Game Is On: Are You In?  You Have to Play or You’ll Never Win,” ALFA International’s 2019 International Client Seminar, March 2019
  • Moderator and Presenter at dozens of interactive seminars addressing issues of ethics and professionalism through the State Bar of Montana’s Professionalism Committee, January 1996 through May 2018
  • Speaker, “Championship: Rights, Fights, and Popular Opinion,” ALFA International’s 2018 International Client Seminar, March 2018
  • Speaker, “Loyalty Has Limits,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2017
  • Speaker, “Teaching a Lawyer to Fish: The Karaoke Session,” ALFA International’s 2017 International Client Seminar, March 2017
  • Speaker, “What the Heck Happened?,” ALFA International’s 2016 International Client Seminar, March 2016
  • Speaker, “Creating an International Practice No Matter Where You Are,” Annual Business Meeting, ALFA International’s Annual Business Meeting, October 2015
  • Speaker, “Tribalism in the Courtroom: What Lawyers Need to Learn from Neuroscience about Bias, Loyalty, and the Behavior of Groups,” State Bar of Montana, January 2015; ALFA International’s 2015 International Client Seminar, ALFA International, March 2015; The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2015
  • Speaker, “How and Where Your Business Can Be Sued in the U.S.,” ALFA International’s Asia Regional Seminar with Product Liability and IP/IT, May 2014
  • Speaker, “Honesty is Such a Lovely Word:  Is It Too Much to Ask?,” State Bar of Montana, January 2014; ALFA International’s 2014 International Client Seminar, January 2014
  • Speaker, “Protecting Rights or Picking Fights:  What Should Lawyers Really Be Doing for Their Clients?,” ALFA International’s 2013 International Client Seminar, March 2013
  • Speaker, “Implicit Bias,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2012
  • Speaker, “Non-Competes and Other Baggage of Relationships Past,” State Bar of Montana’s Beat the Deadline CLE, May 2011
  • Speaker, “Strategies for Working with Evidence at Trial and Attacking Opposing Evidence,” NBI’s Evidence and Expert Testimony Best Practices Seminar, February 2011
  • Speaker, “FLSA and Wage and Hour Issues and Non-Competes and Other Post-Employment Obligations,” Lorman’s Employment Law From A to Z Seminar, January 2011
  • Speaker, “Non-Compete, Non-Solicitation and Confidentiality,” The Seminar Group’s Montana Labor & Employment Law Conference, March 2009
  • Speaker, “Post-Courtal Separation Anxieties:  What Can Go Wrong After the Verdict Is In,” State Bar of Montana, January 2009
  • Author, “To Tell the Truth, Memory Isn’t That Good,” 63 Montana Law Review 337, 2002
  • Speaker and Mentor on Trial Skills and Legal Ethics, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, July 2001
  • Speaker, “Appellate Brief Writing,” State Bar of Montana, October 1989
  • Author, “Reappraising Reapportionment,” 22 Gonzaga Law Review 527, 1988
Blog Posts About Tom

Alexandria L. Bell

Member

Alexandria Bell is an experienced trial attorney focusing on civil defense litigation. For 10 years, she practiced in a regional firm in Chicago, Illinois, where she successfully litigated civil rights and police misconduct cases for the City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, including numerous federal jury trials. Mrs. Bell’s practice also involved litigating commercial disputes involving issues of breach of contract, trade secrets and protection of business proprietary information. She litigated (nationally) complex design and manufacturing defect product liability matters involving large power tool manufacturers. Defended food suppliers and restaurants in food poisoning cases involving serious permanent injuries. She also managed all aspects of medical malpractice trial litigation defending top Chicago hospitals and their respective doctors and staff.

In November of 2018, Mrs. Bell moved to Colorado, where she continues to litigate claims against public entities and officials and various governing boards related to both tort and constitutional claims in federal and state courts. Mrs. Bell’s general litigation practice continues to encompass defense of commercial, catastrophic personal injury, and construction defect matters.

Mrs. Bell is a member of the American Bar Associations, the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2016
  • Illinois (inactive), 2008
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: DePaul University College of Law, 2008, Dean’s List
BA: Michigan State University, James Madison College, 2003, International Relations, cum laude

Contact

bella@hallevans.com

More About
Alexandria

Resume

Linkedin

Decisions
  • Brito v. Brown., 20-cv-30024 (Montezuma County, Colo.) (judgment for defendant on motion to dismiss following an evidentiary Trinity hearing)
  • Boulter v. Town of LaSalle, et al., 20-cv-2089-KLM (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • San Agustin v. El Paso Cty. et al., 18-cv-2646-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion to dismiss)
  • Pizzo v. HGLK, LLC, 18-cv-31783 (Jefferson County, Colo.) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Johnson v. Barnes, et al., 17-cv-2346-MSK-MEH (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.) (judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Janetos v. Fulton Friedman & Gullace, LLP, et al., 12-cv-1473 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful class action settlement reached)
  • Thull v. Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd., et al., 11-cv-2368-PAM-LIB (U.S. District Court, D. Minnesota) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Grant-Hall v. Cavalry Portfolio Services, LLC, et al., 11-cv-1832 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (class certification denied; judgment for defendants on motion for summary judgment)
  • Cartwright v. City of Chicago, et.al., 09-cv-4298 U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Willis v. Lepine, et al., 09-cv-4208 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Whitehead v. Bond, et al., 09-cv-3765 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Calhoun v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-2200 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Williams v. Dieball, et al., 09-cv-5 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Harris v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-1260 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Jones v. Schulz, et al., 09-cv1136 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Cortez v. City of Chicago, et al., 09-cv-653 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • Smith v. Fulton, et al., 09-cv-373 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
  • GSI Technologies, LLC v. Tyco Electronics Corp. 08-cv-901 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (successful case resolution following filing of a motion for partial summary judgment)
  • Sanchez v. City of Chicago, et al., 08-cv-2735 (U.S. District Court, D. Illinois) (jury trial, defense verdict)
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • American Bar Association
  • DRI
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Emerging Lawyers℠, Law Bulletin Media, 2015-2018
Languages
  • Ukrainian
  • Russian
Blog Posts About Alexandria

Ethan E. Zweig, CIPP/US

Member

Ethan Zweig’s practice is focused on civil and commercial litigation, construction defect, critical motions, appeals, civil rights defense, insurance defense, and coverage matters.  Mr. Zweig represents a wide variety of businesses, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, insurers, and other entities in high-stakes litigation.

Mr. Zweig has significant experience briefing and arguing important legal issues in trial and appellate courts. His published appellate cases have helped develop the law in the areas of constitutional interpretation, statutory interpretation, expert testimony, and admissible evidence among others.

Before joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Zweig practiced at two boutique Denver litigation firms and served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado where he prosecuted civil and criminal appeals in the Colorado Supreme Court, Colorado Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States District Court for the District of Colorado.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2012
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: Brooklyn Law School, 2012, magna cum laude
BS: Ithaca College, 2001, Communications

Contact

zweige@hallevans.com

More About
Ethan

Resume

Linkedin

Decisions
  • Martinez v. People of Colo., 393 P.3d 557 (Colo. 2017)
  • Abdu-Latif Kazembe v. State, 433 P.3d 101 (Colo. App. 2018)
  • People v. Butler, 454 P.3d 280 (Colo. App. 2017)
  • People v. Patton, 425 P.3d 1152 (Colo. App. 2016)
  • People v. Terhorst, 260 P.3d 239 (Colo. App. 2015)
  • People v. Clanton, 361 P.3d 1056 (Colo. App. 2015)
Professional Experience
  • Assistant Attorney General, Colorado Office of the Attorney General: Appellate Section, Denver, CO, 2013-2017
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Author, “I Think We Should See Other People: The Benefits of Eliminating Handset Exclusivity and Instituting Tiered Pricing in the Mobile Broadband Market,” Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial & Commercial Law, Volume 6, Issue 2, 2012
Certifications

  • CIPP/US

Blog Posts About Ethan

Steven L. Gonzales

Counsel

Steve Gonzales has over 20 years of civil litigation experience. His practice is currently focused on professional liability, catastrophic injury, construction, and transportation. Mr. Gonzales also has extensive experience in commercial litigation and intentional torts. He has successfully defended his clients in dozens of jury and bench trials in state and federal courts, and administrative proceedings.

Mr. Gonzales previously served as Chair of the New Mexico Supreme Court Disciplinary Board and brings an elevated understanding of professional licensing and ethics matters to his professional liability practice. He frequently represents doctors, nurses, engineers, surveyors, pharmacists, and other licensed professionals before licensing boards and commissions.

Mr. Gonzales strives to find creative, winning solutions to client challenges.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • New Mexico, 2002
  • Maryland (inactive), 2000
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
  • U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Location

Santa Fe Office
125 Lincoln Avenue
Suite 225
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Education

JD: University of New Mexico, 2000, cum laude
BUS: University of New Mexico, 1996, Communication & Journalism, Political Science

Contact

gonzaless@hallevans.com

More About
Steven

Resume

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, Distinguished Peer Review Rated
  • Nominated for District Court Judge by Second Judicial District Court Nominating Commission
Appeals
  • Sunquest Mktg. v. Lorentzen, No. 27,742, 2009 N.M. Ct. App. (Feb. 16, 2009)
  • Paz v. Tijerina, 2007-NMCA-109, 142 N.M. 391, 165 P.3d 1167
  • Gruber v. Gruber, 369 Md. 540, 546, 801 A.2d 1013, 1016 (2002)
Business & Community Service
  • New Mexico Supreme Court Disciplinary Board, 2008-2011; Chair, 2013; Vice Chair 2012
  • Second Judicial District Court Volunteer Attorney Program, Volunteer Attorney, 2009-2013
  • Lawlapalooza, Volunteer Attorney, 2010-2018
Decisions
  • Bevan v. Santa Fe Cty., 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 129378 (D.N.M. Aug. 15, 2017)
  • Willis v. Smith, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 32477 (D.N.M. Mar. 7, 2017)
  • Murray v. Burt, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 170284 (D.N.M. Dec. 15, 2011)
Professional Associations
  • State Bar of New Mexico
  • First Judicial District Bar Association
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “The Disciplinary Process in New Mexico,” State Bar of New Mexico
  • Presenter, “Medical Malpractice Damages in New Mexico,” State Bar of New Mexico
Other Activities
  • Steve lives in his hometown of Santa Fe, New Mexico, with his wife and their two talented teenage children.  In his spare time, he is an avid explorer of New Mexico’s roads less traveled.

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