Susan M. Holden

Susan Holden is a partner and shareholder at SiebenCarey, where she has dedicated her career to passionately advocating for clients in complex personal injury and wrongful death cases. Susan’s outstanding reputation, both inside and outside the courtroom, has earned her national recognition as one of Minnesota’s leading trial attorneys.

She concentrates her practice on cases involving trucking and automobile accidents, product defects, construction accidents, medical malpractice, and other negligence claims. Susan’s practice also includes serving as an ADR neutral — special master, mediator, or arbitrator. She is a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral on the State Court Administrator’s Roster.

Susan is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, a distinction held by fewer than 1% of Minnesota lawyers. She has maintained this demanding certification since 1995. Martindale-Hubbell, the most respected directory in the legal community, rates Susan as AV Preeminent 5.0 for professional skills and integrity, its highest score.

Susan is among a select group of trial attorneys whom their peers have chosen for the profession's most prestigious membership organizations, including:

• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only fellowship of outstanding trial lawyers from the United States and Canada, representing all areas of trial practice. These members have demonstrated the highest standards of advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality. 
• Member, International Society of Barristers, an honor society of distinguished trial lawyers selected through a rigorous screening process that evaluates their ability, experience, achievements, and ethical standards, as determined by trial lawyers and judges. 
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, an elite national organization of accomplished trial attorneys whose qualifications require proven courtroom skill and experience, high personal character, and an honorable ethical reputation.

She has received peer recognition numerous times, including selection as a Leading Minnesota Attorney, a Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyer, and a Top 50 and 100 Super Lawyer®, as well as inclusion in Best Lawyers® in America.

In addition to her successful trial practice, Susan was appointed by the Minnesota Chief Justice in 2020 and currently serves on the Exoneration Compensation Panel, which determines compensation for individuals who have been exonerated or wrongfully incarcerated.

She was also appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice in 2008 to chair the Special Master Panel for the specially created compensation process for survivors of the I-35W bridge collapse. Her responsibilities included designing and implementing a claims process, conducting hearings, determining damages in 179 claims, and distributing the $36.64 million allocated by the legislature to fairly compensate survivors of the disaster.

Susan's career includes extensive involvement in law-related organizations and bar associations, including leadership roles as president of the Minnesota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (2018), the Minnesota State Bar Association (2005-2006), and the Hennepin County Bar Association (1999-2000).

She is an active member of the American Bar Association, having served on the ABA Board of Governors (2018-2021), House of Delegates (2007-present), and Rule of Law Initiative Board (2024-2025), as well as on the boards of various other professional associations and community organizations, including nonprofits in the Twin Cities and northern Minnesota, where she grew up.

Susan has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions, including the following:

• 2023 Professional Excellence Award, Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA), joining a “Who’s Who” group of prominent Minnesota attorneys and judges that dates back to 1985
• 2016 Professionalism Award, Hennepin County Bar Association
• 2011 Law In Public Service Honor Roll Award, American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
• 2009 Fidelis Apparitor Award, College of St. Benedict
• 2009 Professional Excellence Award, MSBA
• 2008 Outstanding Service to the Profession Award, Minnesota Lawyer
• 2008 President’s Award, MSBA
• 2007 Superior Service Award, Northwest Minnesota Legal Services
• 2006 Distinguished Alumna Award, Mitchell Hamline School of Law
• 2006 Member of the Year Award, Minnesota Trial Lawyers Association
• 2006 David Graven Public Service Award, MSBA
• 2005 Attorney of the Year Award, Minnesota Lawyer
  
  Susan is admitted to practice in the Minnesota State and Federal Courts, the Federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. She is also a frequent author and lecturer in trial practice, substantive law, and ethical leadership.