Heather is a member of Butler Snow’s Government and Regulatory Group. She concentrates her practice on public utilities and administrative law. She works primarily with local utility authorities, school boards and municipal governments on a multitude of issues. Her secondary practice is commercial real estate where she conducts multi-million dollar closings.
Overview
Heather is a member of Butler Snow’s Government and Regulatory Group. She concentrates her practice on public utilities and administrative law. She works primarily with local utility authorities, school boards and municipal governments on a multitude of issues. Her secondary practice is commercial real estate where she conducts multi-million dollar closings.
Practice Areas
Experience
- Office of Governor Haley Barbour, Legal Counsel: Provided legal counsel to the Governor Haley Barbour during his term of office. Advised the Governor on judicial appointments, state disasters, bond commission meetings, election and budget-related matters. Coordinated Governor’s Office responses to public records requests.
- City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, City Attorney: Serves as the City Attorney where legal guidance and advice is given for the daily operation of the City. Provides legal services for employment matters, contract negotiations, ordinance creation, planning and zoning issues, and much more. Assures compliance with state and federal regulations. Assists with FEMA compliance and regulations in the wake of natural disasters. Attends all public meetings to assure compliance with state laws pertaining to municipalities. Assists with public financing and the issuance of city bonds. Representation of the municipality includes managing all legal issues, including municipal law, public works, financing, employment, procurement, and litigation matters.
- Pearl River County Utility Authority, Board Attorney: Serves as the Attorney for the Pearl River County Utility Authority’s Board of Directors assisting with any and all legal issues that may arise pertaining to the Pearl River County Utility Authority, including, but not limited to environmental issues, construction contracts and disputes, employment issues, real estate transactions, and monitors compliance with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
- Hancock County Utility Authority, Board Attorney: Serves as the Attorney for the Hancock County Utility Authority’s Board of Directors where provided legal services include consultation services, evaluation of contracts and related legal work, title work, property closings, document preparation, condemnation, and filing and recording documents. Specifically, assisted with developing water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Kiln, Pearlington, and Bayside Park areas, which were funded with CDBG dollars available through FEMA’s Public Assistance Program for Hancock County.
- Hancock County Regional Solid Waste Management Authority, Board Attorney: Serves as the Attorney for the Board of Commissioners where general legal services are provided, including grant applications, interpretation of state and federal laws, drafting proposals and providing procurement guidance to insure compliance with state laws and regulations, and assuring compliance with state laws pertaining to governmental entities.
- Gulfport School District: Provided legal assistance to the Board Attorney, including attending meetings, legal research and analysis pertaining to arising issues, reviewed contracts, consulted on employee issues, reviewed student disciplinary issues, and provided daily legal advice on issues involving the district.
- Bay-Waveland School District: Provided legal assistance to the Board Attorney, including meeting attendance and research pertaining to issues. Also reviewed contracts and other client documents to verify compliance with state and federal law requirements.
- Mississippi Coast Transit Authority, Board Attorney: Serves as legal counsel to the Board of Commissioners where general legal services are provided, including the interpretation and compliance with federal grant requirements and other federal regulations, oversees state and federal procurement requirements, reviews contracts to verify state and federal compliance, assures all state statutes are following pertaining to local governing authorities.
- Hancock County E-911 Commission, Board Attorney: Serves as legal counsel to the Commission to assure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Appears before the County Administrator or the Board of Supervisors to present issues regarding the Commission.
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Hancock County, Pro Bono Legal Counsel: Provides general legal services to the organization, including statute interpretation, contract review, and employee issues. Assist with planning and organization for all CASA related events. Instrumental in the contract negotiation and purchase of a permanent office location.
- First American and Fidelity Title Insurance Agent: Reviews chain of title and other real estate issues to verify clean title and conduct real estate closings and transactions.
Distinctions
- Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®
- Mid-South Rising Stars, Government Relations, 2021
- BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America®
- Municipal Law, 2023-2025
- Gulf Coast Woman Magazine
- 9 Self-Made Women, 2022
- 100 Successful Women to Know, 2021, 2022
- Lighthouse Business and Professional Women-Women of Achievement Award, Corporate Category, 2023
- Hancock County Chamber of Commerce
- Outstanding Citizen Award, 2023
- Leadership Hancock County, 2013
- Board of Directors, 2016, 2021-2023
- Vice President, 2022-2023
- Mississippi Business Journal, Top 50 Under 40, Top Ten Finalist, 2019
- Graduate, Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Leadership 2018
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 2011
Education
- Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, J.D., 2011
- Mississippi State University, B.A., Political Science and Communication, 2008
Associations
- American Bar Association
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Bar Admissions, Character and Fitness Committee, 2016-Present
- Hancock County Bar Association
- President, 2017-2018
- Vice President, 2015-2016
- Harrison County Bar Association
- Mississippi Municipal Attorneys Association
- Hancock County Chamber of Commerce
- President, 2024
- Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
- Legal Counsel, 2024
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation
- Board Member
- National Oceans and Applications Research Center (NOARC)
- Board Member
- Appointed by Governor Tate Reeves
- Governor's Gulf Coats Advisory Committee for RESTORE Acts Projects.
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Presenter, "Case Law Update," Mississippi Association of County Board Attorneys’ Conference, Summer 2024.
- Presenter, “21-19-11 and Municipal Property Clean-up," Mississippi Municipal League Convention, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023, Summer 2023.
- Presenter, Ethics Presentation and Update, SWANA Conference.
Civic Involvement
- Gulfport Rotary Club
- Gulfport Business Club
- Mississippi State Young Advisory Council
- Gulfport School District Strategic Planning Team
- Co-Chairman of Committee, 2018
- Our Lady of Gulf Parish
- Krewe of Nereids
- Coastal Conservation Association
- CASA of Hancock County
- Board of Directors, 2014-2019
- Touch-A-Truck Hancock County
- Founder and Chairman