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Heather Michel

Heather K. Rizza

Senior Counsel
(213) 395-7631

Intro

Heather is Senior Counsel in the Construction Practice Group. Specializing in construction litigation, Heather is accustomed to dealing with contentious and complex matters. She has experience representing and advising owners, general contractors and subcontractors with respect to claims for delay and disruption, non-payment, fraud, and negligence. She has represented clients in both federal and state court proceedings, and has extensive arbitration experience. 

Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Heather worked in the Construction and Infrastructure Group at a prominent Canadian law firm for 7 years.

Education

J.D. University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law ( 2012 )
B.A. with honors Carleton University ( 2009 )

Academic Distinction

University of Ottawa Law Review, Editor-in-Chief

Admissions and Courts

California
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Role

Women's Impact Network, Member

Assisted in securing a 12M award in a JAMS arbitration. The dispute involved post-closing payment obligations following the acquisition of a SaaS technology company. The buyer sought to re-trade the deal through fake indemnification claims and an artificially reduced earn out calculation. The clients were awarded their entire claim value, defeated all counterclaims, and recovered attorney fees and costs.

Secured a multi-million dollar win for one of the nation’s top ranked contractors while defeating defendant’s million dollar plus claim arising out of a joint venture dispute following the successful construction of a $250MM+ hotel and casino project in Sacramento.
 

The Los Angeles County Bar Association

American Bar Association

Society of Construction Law North America

Canadian Bar Association

California Lawyers Association, Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Legal Services Award (2021)