Attorney Profiles

Suzanne L. Johnson 
Topsham, Maine
Partner
phone (207) 725-5581
fax (207) 725-1090
email Email Me

 A cum laude graduate of Duke University and Vanderbilt School of Law, Suzanne is a partner and shareholder with the law firm of McTeague Higbee Case.  After moving her principal office to Topsham, Suzanne continued her work with her clients based in the greater Damariscotta and Boothbay regions.  With the resources of McTeague Higbee Case, she now has a broader reach throughout the State of Maine.  Prior to relocating in Maine, Suzanne practiced in Massachusetts and Connecticut where she worked with high net worth individuals and entities to create tax-favored investment vehicles.  Her continuing education and experiences have enabled her to bring a broad range of knowledge to the personal dynamics of a client's or a family's individual situation.

McTeague Higbee Case built its Topsham office purposefully outside of Maine's major metropolitan areas so as to retain its connection to the smaller communities of Maine.  Our services are personal, comfortable and accessible to the immediate demands of our clients.  Suzanne has worked with many families who have suffered the loss of a loved one through a sudden and all too often short-lived diagnosis of asbestos or other cancer related illness.  Due to the Firm's extensive experience in representing those injured by exposure to asbestos or other harmful workplace environments, we are unfortunately well-versed in the myriad issues which arise from the untimely death of a family member.  Our involvement is not only the financial and legal aspects presented by the death of a family member, but also to provide emotional support, understanding of bereavement issues, life changes by the death of a loved one and assisting with the long-term effects on finances, real estate and family dynamics.

We also have a strong connection with our elderly clients.  Suzanne is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, in recognition of the large number of her clients who have retired to Maine.  For these relocated natives, legal services may span the financial fabric connecting planning, long-term care, Medicare and Social Security, disability planning with tools such as trusts and living wills, and routine assistance with bill paying and trust management.  She is a member of the family law bar of the State of Maine and well-versed in divorce, separation and pre-nuptial planning.

Examples of the services we provide include the following:

  • Guardian and conservator of veterans or other disabled individuals
  • Counsel and management of assets bequeathed to children or those with special needs
  • Ombudsman between family members and children regarding care of parents
  • Planning for divorce or marital asset planning for married couples and their issue
  • Planning and strategies to deal with long-term care needs

    In addition to servicing the needs of her clients, Suzanne is an active participant in litigation matters handled by the Firm.  For the past several years, she has worked with G. William Higbee in representing client interests in asbestos exposure litigation.  As well, she serves as local counsel to tradesmen and their unions in the litigation of mechanics' liens claims for unpaid services and materials in the construction of Maine projects.

  • Areas of Practice:
    Litigation
    Probate & Estate Administration
    Trusts
    Wills
    Bar Admissions:
    Maine, 1992
    Connecticut, 1987
    District of Columbia, 1989
    U.S. District Court District of Maine, 1998
    U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1999
    Education:
    Vanderbilt University School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee, 1987
    J.D.


    Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 1984
    A.B.
    Honors: Cum Laude
    Major:  Public Policy


    Representative Clients:
    Local 496 -- International Assoc. of Ironworkers
    Sagadahoc Agricultural & Horticultural Society
    Medomak Valley Land Trust
    Cathance River Education Association
    Professional Associations and Memberships:
    National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, 2004 - Present
    Member


    Maine Estate Planning Council, 1994 - Present
    Member


    MSBA Elder Law Section, 1994 - Present
    Member


    The law firm of McTeague, Higbee, Case, Cohen, Whitney & Toker accepts clients throughout the state of Maine including Portland, Topsham, Bangor, Waterville, Lewiston, Augusta, Bath, Brunswick, Auburn and Biddeford. We currently represent former IBM employees in an age discrimination claim in states throughout the U.S. including New York, California, Vermont, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Oregon.