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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 in her third 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
  • 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
  • F. A. “Pappy” Little, Jr. American Inn of Court
News
                                 Legacy EMS                                   Amicus Brief                                   Imposed on Chapter 11 Debtors                                   Holding Company                                   Hospitals                                   back" doctrine                                    case
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).

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