Heather Austin has handled a wide range of litigation matters in state and federal courts. She concentrates her practice in the areas of ERISA litigation and employment counseling and defense. While she handles cases in federal courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, she has often been engaged in litigation matters nationwide. Heather serves as Deputy Regional Managing Partner of Wilson Elser’s Philadelphia office.
Heather has extensive experience defending insurance carriers against claims brought under ERISA as well as state laws relating to the denial of long-term disability and life insurance claims. Her litigation experience includes employment as well as corporate and commercial litigation. She has represented business entities in a variety of actions, including but not limited to breach of contract, violation of non-competition covenants and wrongful discharge disputes.
In addition to responsiveness and good work product, Heather enhances her professional relationships by making personal connections and learning everything possible about her clients’ business interests. She makes her clients’ priorities her own, be they negotiating a favorable settlement and early resolution of litigation or assisting with navigating the legal system until they achieve a favorable judicial resolution.
A former member of the Board of Managers of the West Philadelphia YMCA, Heather has also served as a mentor through various organizations, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Philadelphia Futures. Heather served on the Board of Methodist Services for Children and Families and Methodist Family Services of Philadelphia, two organizations that service the needs of women, children and families with, among other things, financial, mental health and substance abuse issues.