Sarah Heineman
Direct: 206.462.6770
Email: seh@pattersonbuchanan.com
Download vcf File | Print this Page
Associate
Admitted to practice in Washington, Michigan and Oregon
Practice Area
Ms. Heineman’s practice involves all aspects of civil defense work, with an emphasis on complex litigation, employment, and school law. For clients such as school districts, fire districts, counties, and private entities, she has handled litigation and pre-litigation claims regarding alleged employment discrimination, personal injury, breach of contract, civil rights violations, environmental issues, and products liability. Her experience includes class-action defense and defense of multi-million dollar claims. Ms. Heineman has litigated in both federal and state courts and has argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She has experience at trial, arbitration, and mediation. Ms. Heineman has also handled creditor-side bankruptcy matters, real property disputes and foreclosures, and mortgage and loan modification.
Ms. Heineman began her legal career with Dorsey & Whitney, LLP, in Seattle. She then practiced for several years with Dykema Gossett, PLLC, in Michigan before joining Patterson Buchanan in 2009.
Education
- University of Michigan School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2002
- Managing Editor, Michigan Journal of International Law
- Rockwell T. Gust Advocacy Award
- Western Michigan University, B.A., Political Science, summa cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa
Admissions:
- United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Professional Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- State Bar of Michigan
- Pierce County-Tacoma Bar Association
- Washington Council of School Attorneys
Publications / Presentations / Speaking Engagements
- Using Forensic Computer Experts in Litigation, August 2005 (presentation with John A. Ferroli).
- “A Year in Review: State and Federal Product Liability Decisions of 2004,” 16 Products Liability 3, American Bar Association, Summer 2005 (co-authored with Eric C. Lund and Daniel J. Martin).
- “Sixth Circuit & Michigan,” in The Use of Toxicology in Tort Litigation: A Survey of Federal and State Jurisdictions, American Bar Association, December 2004 (co-authored with Eric C. Lund).
- “Fiscal Sponsorship and Arts-Related Nonprofits,” Legal Lines, Community Legal Resources (co-authored with Catherine Brainerd, Julie A. Karkosak, and Robert Rodemeyer).
- “Nonprofit Organizations: Legal Considerations,” Legal Lines, Community Legal Resources (co-authored with Catherine Brainerd, Julie A. Karkosak, and Robert Rodemeyer).
Representative Cases
- In re Oswalt, 444 F.3d 524 (6th Cir. 2006). Successfully briefed and argued issue of legislative intent before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.