Heather White leads the firm’s Governmental Law Practice Group and is also a vital member of the firm’s Medical Malpractice group. While she primarily focuses on the defense of Utah governments in high-profile civil rights disputes, her work in defense of healthcare organizations and providers has become a branch of her practice. She defends doctors, nursing staff, other Utah medical professionals, and Utah medical facilities from complex malpractice claims.
Heather defends Utah governmental entities and their officers against complaints asserting the deprivation of civil rights. These include all types of claims of alleged misconduct, such as excessive force, search and seizure, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and denial of medical care, to name a few. At any given time, Heather has been involved in multiple officer-involved shooting cases from inception, including investigations by the Utah Department of Justice and press inquiries, through conclusion.
Heather deeply respects her Utah police officer clients and their dedication to society at great personal expense. She listens closely to determine their individual needs – whether in out-of-court settlements or in public trials. To better understand and closely connect with her clients and the matters they are involved in, she regularly participates in police ride-alongs, is certified by the Force Science Institute, and conducts training sessions for law enforcement throughout the state, including entities who are not her clients.
Heather also represents the two primary insurers of government entities in the State of Utah—the Utah Risk Management Agency and the Utah Local Governments Trust—and a number of self-insured governmental agencies. She believes in educating her clients on legally-related elements of their complex, public careers. She regularly speaks to agencies and insurers on police training, liability, risk management, and incident-prevention issues in this effort.
Heather has tried many governmental civil rights cases to a favorable defense verdict in state and federal trial and appeals courts. In addition, Heather regularly defends governments against claims involving accidents with government vehicles and premises liability, such as “slip and fall” accidents that might involve sidewalks, water meters, or swimming pools, cemeteries, playgrounds, recreational centers, and others.
Heather White is a highly experienced in Utah employment law, specializing in complex misconduct claims. Her expertise in the field makes her an ideal choice for private employers in Utah who are facing similar legal challenges, as she has a proven track record of successfully navigating such cases.
Education
- J.D., University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, 1996
- B.A., University of Utah, cum laude, 1993
Bar & Court Admissions
- Utah State Bar
- U.S. District Court, District of Utah
- Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
Legal Services
- Construction
- Drug and Medical Device Defense
- Employer Defense
- Government Defense
- Governments
- Healthcare
- Insurance Defense
- Utah Medical Malpractice Defense
- Personal Injury Defense
- Product Liability Defense
- Sexual Misconduct Investigations & Defense
- Wrongful Death Defense
- Medical Malpractice Defense
- Product Liability Defense