Heather has over two decades of experience handling complex construction, commercial and surety matters ranging in value from $1,000 to $121 million, on some of the most recognizable projects in the country. Having an undergraduate degree in business with a minor in Economics, Heather brings a unique perspective to these practice areas. When she is not vigorously asserting and defending claims on behalf of clients, Heather enjoys world-wide travel, running, and hiking with her family.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Construction Litigation, Construction Contract Review
- Complex Commercial Civil Litigation
- Surety and Fidelity Litigation
- Insurance Defense
- Labor and Employment
BAR ADMISSIONS
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Missouri
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina
EDUCATION
- University of Colorado (Boulder), B.S., Business
- Loyola University Chicago School of Law, J.D.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Bar Association (Member, Construction Section & Surety Section)
- American Subcontractors Association (Greater Kansas City Chapter)
- Colorado Bar Association
- Johnson County Kansas Bar Association (Member, Media Bar Section)
- Judge Hugh Means American Inns of Court
- Kansas Bar Association
- Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (Member, Federal Courts Advocate Section)
- The Missouri Bar
HONORS & AWARDS
- Selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© in the area of Construction Law (2013-2023)
- Selected for inclusion in Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2009-2022)
- Selected for inclusion in Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers – Top 50 Women Edition (2010-2022)
- Named in the Top 100 attorneys – Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2014 – 2019)
- Named in the Top 50 attorneys – Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers (2015 – 2017)
- Best Lawyers®, Women in the Law (2017)
- Selected for inclusion in Women Leaders in the Law™ – Fortune Magazine (2015)
- Best Lawyers Business Edition (2015) – Construction Law
- Selected to receive the Top 30 Most Influential Women Award – Kansas City Business Magazine (2013)
- Top 50 Women Attorneys in Missouri & Kansas – KC Magazine (2010-2011, 2013-2014)
- Best of the Bar – Kansas City Business Journal (2011)
SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Successfully represented CBRE Heery, Inc. in pursuing recovery of delay damages, extended general conditions and other damages caused by subcontractor, arising out of the construction of the Koritz Medical Clinic on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, in NC. CBRE Heery, Inc. v. RLI and So. Glass & Mirror of Eastern North Carolina, Inc., N.C. Federal Dist. Court, Case No. 5:20-CV-00216-BO (2022).
- Successfully defended CBRE Heery, Inc. and its sureties against complex delay, disruption, prompt payment act, and 21 other claims brought by large electrical, mechanical and plumbing subcontractors, arising out of the construction of the Koritz Medical Clinic on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, in NC. Schneider Electric Building Americas, Inc., et al. v. CBRE Heery, Inc., et. al., N.C. Federal Dist. Court, Case No. 5:20-CV-00257-BR (2022).
- Successfully represented an electrical subcontractor in pursuing unpaid change orders against a large Texas contractor with offices in Kansas, arising out of the construction of a multi-family residential project in Prairie Village, Kansas, and in defending counterclaims which included the contractor’s voluntary dismissal of over $500,000 in delay damages and other claims against this subcontractor. Bailey Electric, LLC v. MW Builders, Inc., American Arbitration Association Case No. 01-20-0003-7757 (2021).
- Successfully represented a regional steel fabricator and erector in pursuing claims against Haren & Laughlin arising out of the construction of the District at City Center in Lenexa, Kansas, including complex construction sequencing and scheduling claims, design changes, and claims of disregard for contract formalities. Kansas City Steel Werx, Inc. v. Haren & Laughlin Construction Company, American Arbitration Association. (2021).
- Successfully represented a national developer in defending claims by Centric Projects and pursuing counterclaims, arising out of the reconstruction of the historical 905 Broadway building located in downtown Kansas City, including defending claims of unforeseen conditions, incomplete design, and delays. 905 Broadway, LLC v. Centric Projects, LLC, American Arbitration Association. (2019).
- Successfully represented Balfour Beatty in pursuing $93 million in claims against the USACE under the Contract Disputes Act, and defending Balfour Beatty and its sureties in defending $45million in delay and other claims by subcontractors and suppliers, arising out of the construction of the Irwin Army Community Hospital on Fort Riley, in KS. Appeal of Balfour-Walton, A Joint Venture before the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, ASBCA No. 59884 (2017).