Kathryn Smith-Thompson

Attorney at Law

“Practicing law requires far more than a degree and a bar license. The best lawyers are skilled navigators as well as thoughtful human beings. Integrity in the profession and compassion for the client go hand in hand to create effective representation.”

Kathryn Smith-Thompson

Attorney at Law

“Practicing law requires far more than a degree and a bar license. The best lawyers are skilled navigators as well as thoughtful human beings. Integrity in the profession and compassion for the client go hand in hand to create effective representation.”

Kathryn Smith-Thompson

Kathryn “Kate” Thompson-Smith brings creativity and thoughtful experience to her estate administration and planning practice at Hellmuth & Johnson. Prior to joining the firm, she practiced law in her own solo practice, where she handled a diverse caseload. Kate also worked in the financial services industry at two major banks in the Twin Cities area and, before law school, worked as a legal assistant/paralegal at an international actuarial firm in the Chicagoland area.

Kate represents clients in both straightforward and complex administration matters. She keeps families out of protracted litigation and is relentless in the pursuit of her clients’ goals. She won’t scare you with her probate war stories, but she might just get you to schedule a planning meeting sooner rather than later.

Kate has been described by clients as “a breath of fresh air” and “honest and kind.” When she’s not at work, Kate is a choral singer, a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA, is married to her high school sweetheart, and is the unreasonably proud mother of two daughters.

EXPERIENCE

  • Successfully argued that an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) was a non-probate asset and was not subject to claw-back in an insolvent Minnesota estate under the Uniform TOD Securities Registration Act (“UTSRA”). The client was the beneficiary of the IRA and was allowed to keep the entirety of the account, valued at approximately $85,000.
  • Navigated a complex estate administration involving a disputed contract for deed and multiple interested parties. Coordinated a mutual mediation meeting and high conflict family relationships. Estate came to a resolution without litigation and preserved approximately $200,000 in estate assets.
  • Regularly assists out-of-state personal representatives in both primary and ancillary probate actions in Minnesota.

Affiliations:

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, Member
  • Minnesota Lavendar Bar Association, Member
  • Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International
  • State Bar of Wisconsin

Honors & Awards

  • Enid William Ross Outstanding Alumni Chapter Marshal Award — Twin Cities Alumni Chapter, Phi Alpha Delta

Community

  • Best Prep, Volunteer
  • Girl Scouts of the USA, Lifetime Member
  • Minnesota Boychoir, Board Member
  • Minnetonka Choral Society, Member
  • AmeriCorps VISTA, Alumna

EDUCATION

  • Hamline University School of Law, J.D., 2011

  • Carthage College, Paralegal Certificate, summa cum laude, 2004

  • Texas Woman's University, B.A., cum laude, 1998

ADMISSIONS

  • Minnesota State Courts

  • Wisconsin State Courts

CONTACT INFORMATION

Direct: 952-746-2144

PRACTICE AREAS

ASSISTANT

Cheryl R. Spencer

Legal Writing Annual Subscription Plan

Access legal writing advice and tools from our in-house team.