Suzanne Simpson, Esq.

Photo of Suzanne Simpson, Esq.

Current Employment

  • Founder
  • Attorney at Law

Practice Areas

  • Elder Law
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate and Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation
  • Business Succession Planning
  • Medicaid Pre-Planning
  • Guardianship

Biography

Suzanne founded Simpson Law, PA in 2003. The firm provides compassionate, convenient, and comprehensive estate planning services for busy parents, professionals, and retirees in Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia. Suzanne thoroughly enjoys meeting with her clients and learning their life stories as they discuss with her how they would like to leave their legacy. Suzanne counsels clients on strategies to reduce or eliminate estate tax liability and provides recommendations regarding asset titling, life insurance, and beneficiary designations. She also assists families and friends with the administration of estates through probate or trust administration. For clients with disabled family members needing guardianship, or those who may qualify for Medicaid, Simpson Law offers expert assistance.

Awards and Recognition

Suzanne has been recognized by Super Lawyers in Maryland and the District of Columbia as one of the top five percent in her practice area. AVVO has consistently ranked her as a Client's Choice Attorney and a Top Estate Attorney for nearly a decade. She was also a nominee for the internationally prestigious Athena Award.

Community Involvement

Suzanne is an active member of the Business Women’s Network of Howard County and enjoys attending events and meeting referral sources at the Coalition for Geriatric Care Services (COGS) and the Estate Planning Council for Howard County. She loves to play golf at charity events, attend fundraisers, and support the community through sponsorships. She previously sat on the board for VisArts in Rockville Maryland.

Suzanne is a past president of the Howard County Women's Bar Association; Past Secretary to the Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland, and was on the Board of Directors for the Olney Chamber of Commerce, where she served as Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee. She was the co-chair of the Estate Planning section of the Howard County Bar Association and was selected for the Leadership Montgomery Class of 2011.

Suzanne has served as vice president and By-Laws Chair on the PTA at her children's school and has held board positions with the local International MOMs Club. Suzanne also volunteers each year for Law Day: Prepare Living Will for Seniors. 

Personal Interests

In her free time, Suzanne loves spending quality moments with her husband, adult children, two dogs, and 24 koi. An avid adventurer, she enjoys traveling, hiking, paddleboarding, skiing, golfing, and practicing Pilates. Suzanne also finds joy in reading and writing, participating in her book club, and engaging in thoughtful conversations with friends.

Education

  • George Mason University School of Law, Arlington, Virginia
    • J.D. - 1991
  • George Mason University
    • B.A.
    • Major: English/German

Bar Admissions

  • Maryland, 1993
  • Virginia, 1991
  • District of Columbia, 1992
  • U.S. Supreme Court, 2012

Classes and Seminars

  • Beyond the Exam Room for Physicians, Estate Planning, 2016 & 2017
  • National Business Institute: Advanced Medical Directives, 2014
  • National Business Institute: Ethics in Estate Planning, 2014
  • Estate Planning, Women's Finance Group DC, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Montgomery Village International Moms Club, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Blog Radio, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Baltimore Veterans Affairs, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Think About It Cable TV Show, 2011
  • Estate Planning, Moms, Inc., 2011
  • Estate Planning, Estate Planning and Long Term Care Insurance, 2011
  • Estate Planning, Vegetarian Resource Group, 2010
  • Estate Planning, Real Estate Investment Society, 2010
  • Business Planning, Moms, Inc., 2010
  • Estate Planning, Moms Club International, 2009
  • Grantor Trusts, Howard County Bar Association Trust and Estate Section, 2009
  • Presentations about Estate Planning to Local Senior Centers
  • Presentation about Special Needs Planning to Cornerstone Montgomery advisory Board
  • Business Women's Network Howard County, 2023
  • Real Estate Panels, 2023/2024
  • Ethics in Estate Planning National Business Institute
  • Advanced Directives National Business Institute

Pro-Bono Activities

  • Law Day-Prepare Living Wills for Seniors, 2010 to Present
  • Board for VisArts in Rockville Maryland
  • Vice president and By-Laws Chair on the PTA

Languages

  • German

Fraternities or Sororities

  • Phi Mu
  • Phi Delta Phi

Professional Associations

  • Estate Planning Counsel of Howard County, 2017 to Present
  • Business Women’s Network of Howard County, 2017 to Present
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2012 to Present
  • Howard County Women’s Bar Association, Past President, 2008 to Present
  • Estate Planning Council of Suburban Maryland, Past Secretary, 2007 to Present
  • Maryland Bar Association, 1992 to Present
  • Virginia Bar Association, 1991 to Present
  • Olney Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, 2009 to 2011
  • Howard County Bar Association, Estates and Trusts Section, Past Co-Chair 2008 – 2011, 2003 to Present
  • Fairfax Bar Association, CLE Committee, Co-Chair, 1998 to 2000
  • Washington Ski Club, General Counsel
  • Maryland Bar Association Special Needs Study Group, 2011 to Present
  • Maryland Bar Association Estate Planning Section, 2003 to Present
  • Virginia Bar Association Estate Planning Section, 2003 to Present
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2011 to Present
  • VisArts Board of Directors
  • District of Columbia Bar Association
  • Cornerstone Montgomery Advisory Committee

Continuing Education

  • Business Women’s Network Howard County, 2023
  • Real Estate Panels, 2023/2024
  • Beyond the Exam Room for Physicians, Estate Planning, 2016 & 2017
  • National Business Institute: Advanced Medical Directives, 2014
  • National Business Institute: Ethics in Estate Planning, 2014
  • Estate Planning, Women’s Finance Group DC, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Montgomery Village International Moms Club, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Blog Radio, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Baltimore Veterans Affairs, 2012
  • Estate Planning, Think About It Cable TV Show, 2011
  • Estate Planning, Moms, Inc., 2011
  • Estate Planning and Long Term Care Insurance, 2011
  • Estate Planning, Vegetarian Resource Group, 2010
  • Estate Planning, Real Estate Investment Society, 2010
  • Business Planning, Moms, Inc., 2010
  • Estate Planning, Moms Club International, 2009
  • Grantor Trusts, Howard County Bar Association Trust and Estate Section, 2009
  • Presentations about Estate Planning to Local Senior Centers
  • Presentation about Special Needs Planning to Cornerstone Montgomery Advisory Board
  • Ethics in Estate Planning, National Business Institute
  • Advanced Directives, National Business Institute

Past Positions​

  • Bean Kinney & Korman, Senior Associate, 1999 to 2000
  • Smolen & Plevy, PC, Associate, 1992 to 1999
  • Fairfax County Circuit Court, Judicial Law Clerk, 1991 to 1992
  • Loudoun County Circuit Court, Judicial Law Clerk, 1990 to 1991
  • Commonwealth Attorney's Office Loudoun County, Law Clerk, 1990
  • Food and Drug Law Institute, Associate Editor
  • Regulatory Affairs Journal, Associate Editor
  • Water Environment Federation, Assistant Editor