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Heather M. Mathews

Heather M. Mathews Shareholder

(318) 445-6471
(866) 302-6823 Toll Free
(318) 445-6476

Heather Mathews is well into her second decade representing clients in complex matters. She is best known for her written advocacy on elevated legal questions, having authored amicus briefs to the Supreme Court of the United States and appellate briefs chiefly to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. 
 
She has also figured prominently in the firm’s business bankruptcy and reorganization practice, with various high-profile matters reported in national publications.  Heather enjoys helping clients reach creative solutions, and remains dedicated to the development of jurisprudence favorable to business and industry.

Representative Matters
  • Served as class counsel in antitrust claims and presently representing putative nationwide class in illegal exaction claims against the United States.
  • Drafted Amicus Brief in support of Petitioner for whom the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously.
  • Successfully reorganized or liquidated numerous businesses in the health care, construction, hospitality, and manufacturing industries.
  • In the U.S. Fifth Circuit, obtained the reversal of bankruptcy court’s ruling that the Bankruptcy Code prohibits reimbursement of fees to Chapter 13 debtors’ lawyers who advance these costs, which decision has been the subject of multiple scholarly discussions and seminar panels.
  • Obtained the reversal of district court's dismissal of claims for economic damages by client in a maritime tort case, as set forth by the Fifth Circuit in a reported decision which expanded the scope of its earlier opinions and established new precedent in the area of maritime law.
  • Represented an NYSE-traded corporation in a complex, acquisition-related contract dispute, which included claims of misrepresentation and breach of contract, and was resolved on terms favorable to client.
  • Successfully defended major insurance carriers on an unresolved coverage issue involving Louisiana's uninsured motorist statutes, leading to multiple reported appellate decisions and a body of jurisprudence.
  • Obtained the dismissal of intervenors' claims against client as untimely, a ruling reinstated by the Louisiana Supreme Court by which it abrogated multiple appellate decisions and clarified the scope of Louisiana's relation-back doctrine.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Recognitions
  • CALI Excellence Awards in the study of Louisiana Security Rights, Insurance Law, and Health Care Law and Regulation
  • Trial Advocacy Honors
  • Tulane Moot Court Administrative Justice for Academic Affairs (2004 - 2005)
  • ATLA Trial Competition Team (2003-2004)
  • Phi Delta Phi
  • Tulane Inn of Court
Professional and Civic Activities
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • State Bar of Texas
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Judge Jerry A. Brown Louisiana Bankruptcy American Inn of Court
News
8/23/24 Bankruptcy Team Prevails at Fifth Circuit in Complex Oil and Gas Case
3/29/24 Drell and Mathews Successfully Prosecute Intervention in Federal Bid Protest for Legacy EMS
 
8/08/22 Gold Weems - ABI Journal Features Article by Drell & Mathews
6/06/22 Gold Weems - U.S. Supreme Court Rules 9-0 in Favor of Petitioner Supported by Firm’s Amicus Brief
 
2/24/21 Gold Weems Obtains Confirmation of Chapter 11 Plan for Trucking Company
 
7/12/19 Bankruptcy Team Wins TMA Award for Turnaround of the Year
5/15/19 Firm Obtains Significant Reversal of Bankruptcy Court Ruling at the Fifth Circuit
4/11/19 Firm Receives Award for Energy Restructuring of the Year
4/9/19 Firm Files Class Action Lawsuit Against U.S. Government for Unconstitutional Fees Imposed on Chapter 11 Debtors
3/27/19 Bankruptcy and Restructuring Team Presented with M&A Advisor Award in Palm Beach
 
12/26/18 Firm Receives Chapter 11 Reorganization of the Year Award
7/18/18 Firm Confirms Chapter 11 Plan for Six Healthcare Companies and Related Real Estate Holding Company
5/3/18 Firm Handles Auction of Hotel and Convention Center in Chapter 11 Proceedings
 
6/23/17 Firm Files Reorganization Cases for Acadiana Management Group and Ten Associated Hospitals
 
1/22/15 Rundell and Mathews Maintain Jury Defense Verdict in Louisiana Middle District
 
1/06/12 Mathews named as Shareholder
 
4/15/11 Firm attorneys set important Maritime Law precedent on appeal to the U.S. Fifth Circuit
3/15/11 Louisiana Supreme Court agrees with Rundell and Mathews on applicability of "relation back" doctrine
 
10/01/10 Rundell and Mathews obtain dismissal of tractor-trailer driver and employer in fatality case
 
6/24/09 Rundell and Mathews continue success in defense of UM rejections
6/10/09 Firm succeeds in having business/tort contract against major corporation dismissed
 
10/10/08 Firm Wins Appellate Ruling on New UM Issue
8/25/08 Attorneys successfully defend Qualification of Critical Expert in Business Litigation
Publications and Presentations
  • “Siegel v. Fitzgerald: The Prologue and Aftermath,” American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, Vol. XLI, No. 8 (2022).
  • “Merchant Cash Advances: Law and Bankruptcy Strategies to Deal with ‘Pay Day’ Loans for Business,” 26th Annual Bankruptcy Law Seminar, Louisiana State University Law Center (2020).

Areas of Practice

Education

  • Tulane University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2005
  • Louisiana College, B.A., summa cum laude, 2001

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • Supreme Court of Louisiana
  • Supreme Court of Texas
  • United States District Courts
    • Eastern District of Louisiana
    • Middle District of Louisiana
    • Western District of Louisiana
    • Southern District of Texas
  • United States Court of Appeals
    • Second Circuit
    • Fifth Circuit
    • Tenth Circuit
    • Eleventh Circuit
    • Federal Circuit
  • United States Court of Federal Claims