EDUCATION

• University of Iowa, B.B.A., 1981
• University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1985

ASSOCIATIONS

• The Iowa State Bar Association
• Woodbury County Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Health Law Association
• Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys
• Iowa Council of School Board Attorneys
• NSBA Council of School Attorneys

Maureen Brown Heffernan joined the Firm as an associate in 1985, becoming a partner in 1992.  Maureen's practice is focused in the areas of Employment Law, Education Law, and Health Care Law.

Maureen was born in Bethesda, Maryland, and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 1981 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Relations. Maureen attended the University of Iowa College of Law, was awarded her Juris Doctor, with distinction, in 1985 and was admitted to practice in Iowa that same year.

Maureen is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa. She maintains membership with the American Bar Association, The Iowa State Bar Association, the Labor and Employment Law Section and Health Law Section of The Iowa State Bar Association, and the Woodbury County Bar Association. She is a member of the American Health Law Association, the Iowa Society of Healthcare Attorneys, the National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys, and the Iowa Council of School Board Attorneys.

Maureen's practice includes the representation of both public and private K-12 schools and  private institutions of higher education. She advises clients on a wide range of issues from board governance, administrative policy development, student and employee issues, compliance with applicable accreditation requirements, student records issues, open meetings and open records laws, and civil rights compliance.

Maureen regularly counsels her employer clients on matters related to hiring, employment policies, employee handbooks, compliance with state and federal employment laws, including nondiscrimination, harassment investigations, family and medical leave, military leave and other leave and disability accommodation issues, wage and hour matters, drug testing, social media issues in the workplace, employee discipline and discharge issues, employment and severance agreements, non-compete agreements, and workforce reductions.

HONORS

• Named to “Best Lawyers in America ®,” Education Law, 2020

SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS

• Member – The Iowa State Bar Association, Advisory Ethics and Practice Guidelines Committee
• Past Member – Iowa Supreme Court Commission on the Unauthorized Practice of Law
• Member– Buena Vista University Board of Trustees
• Past Member – Buena Vista University President's Advisory Council
• Past Chairperson – Catholic School Foundation Board
• Past Board Member – Food Bank of Siouxland

AREAS OF PRACTICE

• Contract Law
• Education Law
• Employment Law
• Health Care Law

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