Cheryl A. Heller, Partner

Practice Focus & Experience

Ms. Heller has had an active litigation and appellate practice since 1982, concentrating in personal injury defense and insurance coverage. She has been involved over the last several years in resolution of nationwide asbestos claims for a Fortune 500 company through participation in a bankruptcy reorganization, requiring analysis and resolution of complex insurance coverage, bankruptcy, and related procedural issues. Ms. Heller also has extensive experience analyzing coverage issues in connection with mass tort, environmental, civil rights, and other claims arising under CGL, property, E&O, and D&O policies.

Ms. Heller has been involved with class action litigation regarding breach of privacy claims connected with the airline industry and class action antitrust litigation. She has litigated many catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, including many involving quadriplegia. Ms. Heller also has extensive experience with toxic tort cases and employment litigation. She has handled products liability, dental and medical malpractice, construction accident, wrongful termination, discrimination, sexual harassment, and civil rights cases, among others. Her products liability experience has included defending the integrity of such products as over-the-counter medications, vaccines, medical devices, riding lawn mowers, pallet reciprocators, industrial saws, guns, power tools, overhead cranes, and propane gas. Ms. Heller also has litigated issues involving the telecommunications industry.

Education

• State University of New York at Buffalo, J.D., 1982
• University of Rochester, B.A., 1978

Bar Admissions

• New York, 1982

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
• U.S. District Courts of New York (all districts)
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New York (Western)

Professional Activities & Memberships

• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• New York State Bar Association
  - Frequent Lecturer
• Monroe County Bar Association
  - President, 2000-2001
  - Past Dean, Academy of Law
  - Frequent Lecturer
• Instructor, National Institute of Trial Advocacy
• Continuing Legal Education Board for the State of New York
• Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Professional Recognition & Awards

• Best Lawyers in America®, 2001 to present
• New York Super Lawyers® – Upstate Edition 2007 to present
• 2004 BTI Client Service All-Star for outstanding client service (only attorney in Rochester to be included on that list)
• Nominee, Women’s Council of the Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Award