People
Heather Michel

Heather K. Rizza

Senior Counsel
(213) 395-7631

Intro

Heather Rizza is Senior Counsel in the Construction Practice Group at Hanson Bridgett LLP, where she specializing in complex and high-stakes construction litigation. With extensive experience representing a diverse range of clients — including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals — she provides strategic counsel on a variety of contentious issues, including claims related to delay and disruption, breach of contract, fraud, negligence, cost overruns, and deficiencies.

Skilled in navigating both federal and state court proceedings, Heather also brings significant expertise in arbitration. Her practice covers a broad spectrum of project delivery methods, including design-build, design-bid-build, and Public-Private Partnerships (P3).

Before joining the firm in 2019, Heather spent seven years in the Construction and Infrastructure Group of a leading Canadian law firm, where she gained specialized experience in international construction arbitration. There she focused on large-scale infrastructure projects, including pipelines, power generation and transmission, tunneling, light rail, and mining, providing her with a global perspective on complex construction matters.

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

Intro

Heather Rizza is Senior Counsel in the Construction Practice Group at Hanson Bridgett LLP, where she specializing in complex and high-stakes construction litigation. With extensive experience representing a diverse range of clients — including owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals — she provides strategic counsel on a variety of contentious issues, including claims related to delay and disruption, breach of contract, fraud, negligence, cost overruns, and deficiencies.

Skilled in navigating both federal and state court proceedings, Heather also brings significant expertise in arbitration. Her practice covers a broad spectrum of project delivery methods, including design-build, design-bid-build, and Public-Private Partnerships (P3).

Before joining the firm in 2019, Heather spent seven years in the Construction and Infrastructure Group of a leading Canadian law firm, where she gained specialized experience in international construction arbitration. There she focused on large-scale infrastructure projects, including pipelines, power generation and transmission, tunneling, light rail, and mining, providing her with a global perspective on complex construction matters.

Areas of Focus

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.
 

Co-Leader, California Women in Design + Construction™ (CWDC)

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)

"When Life Gives You Lemons...Squeezing the Most Out of a Failed Mediation," co-presenter, Society of Construction Law North America's Annual Conference (July 2023)