Biography

Ms. Heintzelman is of counsel at Seyfarth Shaw LLP practicing in the areas of labor and employment litigation. Her litigation experience includes representing employers in pattern and practice litigation filed by the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission and class action litigation in various jurisdictions across the country. Her experience includes litigating multi-party discrimination claims as well as wage and hour claims.

Ms. Heintzelman's experience in the area of employment discrimination law also includes litigation of single plaintiff claims filed under federal and state statutes in federal and state courts and agencies. She has successfully defended public sector and private sector employers against claims filed under Title VII, Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, National Labor Relations Act, Illinois Public Employers Labor Relation Act, various state discrimination statutes, common law wrongful discharge claims, retaliation claims as well as various labor issues, arbitration proceedings and federal and state court jury trials.

In her practice, she routinely advises private and public sector employers on compliance with employment laws and development of human resource policies. Ms. Heintzelman is experienced in assisting employers develop policies and practices that comply with changing employment laws and their impact on business operations. She also represents school districts in special education hearings and related legal matters.

Prior to joining Seyfarth Shaw LLP, Ms. Heintzelman was Senior Counsel for Sears, Roebuck and Co. While at Sears, Ms. Heintzelman managed all employment litigation and provided advice and counsel for retail stores located in the Northeast (a 14-state area). She was responsible on a national basis for litigation as well as advice and counsel of individual businesses and departments including Orchard Supply Hardware, Sears Hardware Stores, Corporate Asset Protection, Information Technology and garnishments. Ms. Heintzelman counseled Sears on numerous issues affecting its national operations including implementation of policies regarding human resource compliance with varying state law requirements, implication of the WARN Act on reductions in force and store closings, on-line employment applications, Internet and e-mail usage policies, investigation and response to workplace violence incidents, employment discrimination claims, and wage and hour compliance.

Ms. Heintzelman’s in-house experience gives Ms. Heintzelman an understanding of the business demands placed on human resource personnel and in-house counsel. She has a unique appreciation of a client’s perspective on advice and counsel in relation to business strategy and initiatives and the importance of a successful attorney-client relationship.

Earlier in her career, Ms. Heintzelman worked in Los Angeles, California at a nationally known litigation law firm. There, she successfully defended Fortune 500 corporations in various litigation matters including: construction defect, personal injury, insurance coverage, contracts, copyright infringements, and employment related matters. Ms. Heintzelman has an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Education

J.D., Creighton University School of Law, cum laude (1989)
B.A., Creighton University (1986)

Admissions

• California
• Illinois

Courts

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits
• U.S. District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of California
• U.S. District Court for the Central, Northern (Trial Bar), and Southern Districts of Illinois
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin