Experienced Economic Development Lawyer, Justin Heather, Joins Vorys
Vorys announced today that Justin Heather, a certified economic developer with significant experience in business attraction, expansion and retention, has joined the firm’s Houston office as of counsel in the firm’s nationwide economic development incentives practice. He has over two decades of experience advising clients in the commercial real estate, construction, energy, retail, and manufacturing sectors in complex transactions, litigation, regulatory compliance and government relations.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with the Vorys economic development incentives team on multiple occasions over the past decade,” said Heather. “They are experts at what they do and they are really good people too. I’m excited to be a part of the team.”
Heather also regularly advises clients on corporate governance, entity formation and a wide range of contractual arrangements. His 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.
“Over the course of his career, Justin has been able to develop experience working on all sides of economic development,” said Scott Ziance, leader of the Vorys economic development incentives practice. “His experience and background will augment the work that we do on behalf of our clients across the United States.”
Prior to joining Vorys, Heather worked in-house at a Texas-based commercial 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, Heather 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.
Heather 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. He is also a member of the Texas Economic Development Council.
Heather received his J.D. cum laude from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. He received his A.B. from Dartmouth College.
About Vorys: Vorys was established in 1909 and currently has nearly 375 attorneys in 10 offices in Ohio, Washington, D.C., Texas, Pennsylvania, California, London and Berlin. Vorys currently ranks as one of the 200 largest law firms in the United States according to American Lawyer magazine. Learn more at vorys.com.
