Michael B. Heister

Mike Heister’s practice focuses on complex business litigation, oil and gas, regulatory compliance with a focus on regulated utilities, and appeals from both agency and trial court decisions. Prior to joining the firm, Mike practiced law in Washington, D.C., for nine years, first as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice and later with a large, international law firm. While at the Department of Justice, Mike was awarded the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, the highest award bestowed by the Environmental Protection Agency. Mike’s experience in private practice includes trial and appellate work in civil environmental enforcement actions, private cost-recovery actions, bankruptcy cases, and criminal investigations. He was also appointed legal counsel to the Architect of the Capitol’s blue-ribbon panel on safety in the Russell Senate Building. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mike is a magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University and received his J. D. from the University of Arkansas, summa cum laude. Following graduation from law school, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Arnold of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He also taught civil rights litigation as an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law. Mike is licensed to practice law in Arkansas and the District of Columbia. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuits as well as the Western and Eastern Districts of Arkansas and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.