Justin L. Heather

Justin is of counsel and a member of the firm’s nationwide economic development incentives practice.  He has over two decades of experience advising clients in the real estate, construction, energy, retail, and manufacturing sectors in complex transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance and government relations.

Justin is a certified economic developer with significant experience in business attraction, expansion and retention. He also regularly advises clients on corporate governance, entity formation and a wide range of contractual arrangements. Justin’s government relations background includes drafting legislative proposals, testifying before governmental bodies, analyzing policy and serving as a liaison to government officials on issues including tax increment zones and infrastructure improvements.

Representative Experience

• Serving as the lead attorney for the creation and development of numerous industrial parks and a new 1,300-acre mixed-use development in North Laredo, Texas
• Leading policy development and legislative initiatives for Illinois’ tax incentive tools, including creation of new data center, electric vehicle and apprenticeship programs
• Negotiating economic development incentives with government authorities to support business attraction and revitalization efforts
• Coordinated outside counsel on transactional, regulatory, and litigation matters
• Drafted and negotiated vendor, construction, and service contracts for real estate and infrastructure projects

Prior to joining Vorys, Justin worked in-house at a real estate development firm, where he provided strategic legal counsel for a diverse portfolio of businesses and led negotiations for high-value real estate transactions and development agreements.  He also oversaw redevelopment initiatives, including the negotiation of economic development incentives with government authorities.

Earlier in his career, Justin was the director of business development and general counsel for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), where he led statewide economic development initiatives and managed legal, ethics and compliance functions. Prior to DCEO, Justin spent over a decade representing clients in domestic and international litigation and corporate matters with Skadden and in his own practice.

Justin resides in San Antonio and has been active in numerous community organizations, including serving on the board of directors of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, the Laredo Economic Development Corporation and serving as the Chair of the Downtown Laredo Business Improvement District.  Justin is also a member of the Texas Economic Development Council.

Justin received his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College.

Honors & Recognitions

Illinois Lawyers 40 Under 40

American Bar Association, National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, 2009-2010

Illinois State Bar Association, Young Lawyer of the Year Award

Chicago Bar Foundation, Maurice Weigle Exceptional Young Lawyer Award

Professional & Community Activities

Downtown Laredo Alliance, President

City of Laredo Bond Referendum Committee, Vice Chair, Enhancement Services

Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors, Member; Co-Chair, Government Relations Committee

Laredo Downtown Business Improvement District, Chair

Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 1, Vice Chair

Laredo Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors, Member

Board of Managers, Chicago Bar Foundation

Inaugural Chair, Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Alumni Leadership Counsel