Heather Mayer
Heather brings her agile mind to bear on copyright, trademark, trade dress, domain name disputes, and contract breach litigation. Her talent for persuasive oral argument and negotiating creative settlements has been on display in state and federal courts, at trial and appellate levels. These skills have been the hallmark of her many successful suits, particularly against insurance companies.
client roster includes:
small to medium-sized business
commercial developers
manufacturers
entertainment entities
event producers
Heather has varied experience as a litigator in an array of industries, from representing Sony Pictures in a breach of contract, to successfully defending a large corporation in a price fixing investigation conducted by the US Department of Justice. The clarity and strategic value of her oral arguments were influenced early on while working as production editor of the Journal of Labor and Employment Law, and is evidenced by her early authorship in the ABA publication The Antitrust Litigator.
Since she was 10 years old Heather has wanted to be a lawyer. Her first success and thrill was to serve as lead (and the only) mediator in a fight between two kids at sleep-away camp. An avid reader and enthusiastic cook, Heather looks forward to more travels with her family.
Bar Admissions
California
Education
University of Pennsylvania Law School, JD, 2000
Stanford University, AB Political Science, 1996
“I've worked with a lot of really big clients, but I think it is the small and medium-sized clients that really could use my advice and save a lot of money. As an example, many smaller businesses really don't know the extent of the insurance coverage they are entitled to.”
“When you're the opposing party for a motion, it gives you a chance to think on your feet, and to really distill down your arguments to the clear bullet points you want to hammer home. You don't really get to do that in the papers or in a deposition. It's this rare opportunity to really present your side and show the judge why you're right.”
“There’s a zone-moment in a breach of contract where I know, I can see exactly when they breached the contract. The smoking gun of wrongdoing!”
representative matters
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of D&O policyholder in duty to defend action, entitling policyholder to multi-million dollar recover of attorneys' fees
Assisted in jury trial on behalf of policyholder where jury returned verdict in favor of policyholder resulting in multi-million dollar coverage award, as well as bad faith damages and attorneys' fees
Defeated summary judgment on behalf of CGL policyholder in coverage and bad faith litigation - Represented Sony Pictures Television in case asserting breach of contract and promissory estoppel (matter settled)
Defeated summary judgment on behalf of FLIR, Inc. in case alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition
Successfully responded to office actions issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, resulting in registration of trademarks
Defended Rent-A-Center in class action wage and hour matters
Successfully assisted in representing mining company in coverage and bad faith litigation against umbrella insurers regarding numerous Superfund sites
Successfully defended large corporation in price fixing investigation conducted by the United States Department of Justice
Successfully assisted in litigating and settling coverage and bad faith action against multiple insurers concerning numerous injury and property damage settlements pertaining to smelter operations