Heather’s practice focuses on representing corporate clients in business disputes in state and federal courts. She concentrates a portion of her practice on the representation of institutions and individuals in fiduciary litigation. Heather also represents a variety of clients in tort and product liability actions in state and federal courts and in actions filed with the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission.

Honors and Other Distinctions
Emerson G. Spies Award for Outstanding Service to the Young Lawyers Division, Virginia Bar Association, 2007.

National Association of Women Lawyer's Award, University of Richmond School of Law, 2003.

Representative Experience
Complex Litigation
Counsel to businesses in actions for breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and other business torts in state and federal court.

Represents creditors in litigation enforcing loans and collecting debts in state, federal and bankruptcy court.

Trusts & Estates
Represent clients in fiduciary litigation, including removal and defense of executors, administrators, and trustees.

Counsel in suits for aid and guidance to interpret or construe wills and trusts.

Represent executors in search for and court approval of distribution to unknown heirs and distributees, including one case where distributes numbered in excess of 300.

Represent executors and beneficiaries in will contests (both challenging and defending wills).

Represent family members in lawsuits to appoint guardians for incapacitated family members.

Product and Tort Liability
Represent major pharmaceutical manufacturers with regard to individual and multi-district litigation related to diet drugs, antibiotics and various other prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Cases require detailed knowledge of medical issues in fields of orthopedics, cardiology, pulmonology, hepatology, bariatrics, and neurology, and frequently involve malpractice claims against co-defendants.

Representation of clients in tort claims involves extensive review and analysis of medical records; familiarization with complex medical conditions, treatments and procedures; selecting and vetting expert physicians; and taking and defending depositions of treating and expert medical providers.

Experience in medical malpractice matters includes cases involving a variety of orthopedic injuries (knee, shoulder, foot, ankle and back) and neurological injuries.

Workers' Compensation
Defend employers, insurers and self-insureds throughout Virginia in workers’ compensation matters.

Handle all phases of workers’ compensation litigation, including hearings, dispute resolution and appeals.

Experience in orthopaedic cases, permanent and total cases, hearing loss cases, and brain injury cases.

Other
Counsel to individuals in professional liability matters before state agencies and courts.

Publications, Presentations, and Speaking Engagements
Co-author, "Significant Virginia Trusts and Estates Litigation Cases in 2011," Virginia Lawyer, April 2012.

Moderator, Ethical Issues in Elder Law Panel Discussion and CLE, University of Richmond School of Law, March 4, 2011.

Co-author, "Fraudulent Joinder: Successful Removal of Actions to Federal Court," Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Law Bulletin, April 2004.

Co-author, Michael H. Gladstone, "Contemporary Expert Practice in Heavy Vehicle Litigation," Journal of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy, Vol. 71, Fall 2003.

Public Service
LINC (Legal Information Network for Cancer), Board of Directors: Member (2007-present)

Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now), Board of Young Professionals: Founding Member (2005-2008) and Co-Chair (2006-2007)

Junior League of Richmond (2004-2008)

Professional Experience
Associate, Troutman Sanders LLP, 2003-present
Judge Baker Children's Center, Boston, 1997-2000