Michael B. Heister

Mr. Heister’s practice focuses on complex business litigation and energy and environmental issues with a focus on utility regulatory proceedings, oil and gas issues and environmental compliance. He is listed with The Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Environmental Law, recognized as a Mid-South Super Lawyer in Utilities by Super Lawyers, selected for the inaugural Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America guide in 2022, and named to the 2017 Under 40 Hot List by Benchmark Litigation. Recent matters include:

• Representing a client in multiple appeals from regulatory decisions before the state’s public service commission.
• Representing a client in federal court seeking a nine-figure recovery arising from an adverse regulatory determination by the state.
• Representing clients in a variety of environmental matters before state and federal agencies such as obtaining a third-party rulemaking, permit compliance, and remediation of contaminated properties.
• Advising clients on mineral-related lease disputes such as coal, oil, and natural gas leases, title issues, and permitting requirements.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Heister practiced law in Washington, DC, for three years as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division and for six years with an international law firm. While at the Department of Justice, Mr. Heister defended federal environmental actions in a variety of jurisdictions at the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Heister’s experience in private practice also included trial and appellate work in environmental enforcement actions along with complex land use disputes and work on hydraulic fracturing and oil and gas regulations.

Mr. Heister is a magna cum laude graduate of Vanderbilt University and received his J. D. from the University of Arkansas, summa cum laude.  Following graduation from law school, Mr. Heister served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Arnold of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Education

University of Arkansas School of Law (J.D., summa cum laude, 2002)
Note and Comment Editor, Arkansas Law Review
W. J. Arnold Award
James H. McKenzie Award

Vanderbilt University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1998)