Cathryn Schmidt - Saint Paul, MN
Attorney at Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, PLLP
Family Law Lawyers in Saint Paul, MN
W-1100 First National Bank Building 332 Minnesota Street Saint Paul, MN 55101 - 1379
- Free Consultation
Saint Paul Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/10/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
Attorney Information
Overview
Practice Experience
Cathryn Schmidt is an experienced and highly regarded family law attorney who draws on more than 25 years of legal experience when representing her clients in family law matters. She represents her clients in all matters with respect to family law including custody, parenting time, asset valuation and division, spousal maintenance, and orders for protection. Cathryn has been named "Super Lawyer" by Minnesota Law and Politics and has been recognized for her excellence in family law by selection to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Minnesota Chapter. She has also attained the highest rating possible from Martindale Hubbell for both her legal ability and ethical standards as rated by her colleagues and judges. While she is well-versed in settlement negotiation and mediation (she is a qualified mediator), Cathryn is also an experienced trial attorney and has successfully litigated scores of contested family law matters, both at the trial court level and at the Court of Appeals. She recently argued a case to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Before joining Collins, Buckley, Sauntry & Haugh, Cathryn was a partner at Swaden Law Offices, in Edina where she spent 14 years devoting her practice exclusively to family law. Her prior experience includes clerking for the Honorable Gordon W. Shumaker and the Honorable John S. Connolly in Ramsey County District Court. Ms. Schmidt assisted Judge Shumaker (now retired from the Minnesota Court of Appeals) in the determination of complex litigation matters, including Minnesota's landmark silicone breast implant insurance coverage declaratory judgment action. Following her clerkships, she developed a reputation as an excellent trial court advocate as a Ramsey County Public Defender while also maintaining a private practice devoted primarily to family law.
Cathryn is a long-standing member of the Warren E. Burger Inn of Court, a membership of attorneys and judges that promotes excellence in advocacy and civility in Minnesota's court system. She volunteers as a mentor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- AV – Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Rating in both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards
- “Rising Star” by Minnesota Law and Politics
- “Super Lawyer” by Minnesota Law and Politics
- Selected to Super Lawyers: 2019 - 2023
Education
-
Legal Education
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William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1994
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
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William Mitchell College of Law,
St. Paul,
Minnesota, 1994
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Non Legal Education
-
University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis,
Minnesota, 1982
B.A.
Major: Political Science
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University of Minnesota,
Minneapolis,
Minnesota, 1982
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Pro Bono Activities
- University of St. Thomas Law School, Mentor
- Former Professional singer with the Minnesota Opera Company
Bar Admissions
- Minnesota
Other Affiliations
- Ramsey County Bar Association
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Hennepin County Bar Association
- Warren E. Burger Inn of Court
- American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- Former Co-Chair Ramsey County Family Law Section
- University of St. Thomas Law School, Mentor
- Former Professional singer with the Minnesota Opera Company
Photo
Contact
W-1100 First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101 - 1379
Phone: 651-888-6234
Fax: 651-227-0758
Email: Send a message
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
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