Meet Heather
Heather Collier is known for her unique ability to connect with her clients on a personal level.
She understands the importance of finding the right fit in a divorce lawyer. Heather works diligently to establish strong and trusting relationships, and to understand her client’s interests and goals.
With a practice concentrated on the most intricate family law matters, she provides assured guidance to her clients and strives to empower them to make decisions based on their priorities. She has genuine empathy and understanding of the complex issues families face when traversing this challenging time in their lives.
Heather is widely recognized as possessing a broad range of knowledge and expertise, and she is equally nimble at the negotiating table and in the courtroom.
The foundation of Heather’s broad skill set is based on her extensive experience with sensitive child custody matters in high-conflict families, and cases involving the valuation of many different types of business and professional practices and uncommon assets, complicated compensation structures and support arrangements, and divorce-tax issues.
Her aptitude for drafting agreements and her creative problem-solving abilities contribute to her ability to find effective solutions.
Heather is also regularly called on by the court to represent children in contested custody and adoptions and to represent individuals in guardianship proceedings.
In addition to the services she provides to her clients, Heather helps families seeking to resolve conflicts outside litigation as a trained mediator and parent coordinator.
Heather creates tailored strategies for each client as she navigates them through the divorce process that best serves their unique circumstances, one step at a time.
When working with Heather, clients often remark that they trust her expertise and are confident in her ability to represent their interests, while managing emotions and setting clear expectations throughout the process.
For Heather, the most rewarding aspect of her work is when her clients feel heard, understood, and supported.
Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and their dogs hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. She also loves to create, from cooking and baking in the kitchen to arts & crafts, DIY projects, and calligraphy.
Credentials
Education
- J.D., cum laude, American University Washington College of Law (2004)
- B.A., cum laude, Denison University, Communications (2001)
Bar Admissions
- Maryland (2004)
- Washington, D.C (2005)
Awards
- Washingtonian Top Lawyers (2021, 2022, 2023)
- Best Lawyers in America (2020-2024)
- Bethesda Magazine Top Attorney (2019, 2023)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Named Top 100, Top 50 Women (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer (2014-2024)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2009-2013)
- Montgomery County Women’s Bar Association, Leaders and Legends Award (2024)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County Annual Professionalism Award (2015)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County, Committee Chair of the Year (2012, 2022)
- Bar Leader of Bar Foundation Montgomery County (2007)
- Associate, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2006-2008)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2010-2014)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2022-present)
- Leading Woman by the Daily Record (2012)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County Community Service Award (2014)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County President’s Outstanding Service Award (2007, 2008, 2010)
Community involvement
- Associate, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2006-2008)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2010-2014)
- Master of the Bench, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2022-present)
- Bar Association and Foundation of Montgomery County
- Circuit Court Bench Bar Committee Co-Chair (2017-present)
- Strategic Planning Committee Member (2008-present)
- Executive Committee Board Member (2015-2017, 2019-2021)
- Nominations Committee (2013-2014, 2019-2021)
- Bar Foundation Board Member (2010-2020)
- Annual Bar Revue (2005-2013, 2017)
- Leadership Academy Committee Member (2010-2016)
- Judicial Selections Committee Member (2010-2013, 2014-2016, 2023-present)
- Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair (2010-2014)
- Membership Committee Member (2011-2012)
- Capital Campaign (2010-2011)
- New Practitioners Section Co-Chair (2008-2010)
- Mentor/Mentee Committee Chair (2007-2008)
- Youth Courthouse Project Committee Member (2007-2008)
- Social Committee (2006-2008)
- Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, Montgomery County Chapter
- Triennial Auction Co-Chair (2010, 2013, 2016)
- Immediate Past President (2017-2018)
- President (2016-2017)
- President-Elect (2015-2016)
- Member at Large (2013-2014)
- Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, Executive Committee Member at Large (2017-2018)
- District of Columbia Bar Association, Member (2005-present)
- Voices for Children Montgomery, Board Member (2020-present)
- J.D., cum laude, American University Washington College of Law (2004)
- B.A., cum laude, Denison University, Communications (2001)
- Maryland (1989)
- Washington, D.C (1990)
- Washingtonian Top Lawyers (2021, 2022)
- Best Lawyers in America (2020, 2021, 2022)
- Bethesda Magazine Top Attorney (2019, 2020)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Named Top 100, Top 50 Women (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Super Lawyer (2014-present)
- Maryland Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2009-2013)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County Annual Professionalism Award (2015)
- Associate, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2006-2008)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2010-2014)
- Barrister, American Inns of Court, Montgomery County Inn (2022-present)
- Leading Woman by the Daily Record (2012)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County Community Service Award (2014)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County President’s Outstanding Service Award (2007, 2008, 2010)
- Women’s Bar Association, Montgomery County Chapter, Leaders and Legends Honoree (2020)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County Committee Chair of the Year (2012, 2022)
- Inducted as a Bar Leader of Bar Foundation Montgomery County (2007)
- Bar Association of Montgomery County
- Circuit Court Bench Bar Committee Co-Chair (2017-present)
- Strategic Planning Committee Member (2008-present)
- Executive Committee Board Member (2015-2017, 2019-2021)
- Nominations Committee (2013-2014, 2019-2021)
- Bar Foundation Board Member (2010-2020)
- Annual Bar Revue (2005-2013, 2017)
- Leadership Academy Committee Member (2010-2016)
- Judicial Selections Committee Member (2010-2013, 2014-2016)
- Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair (2010-2014)
- Membership Committee Member (2011-2012)
- Capital Campaign (2010-2011)
- New Practitioners Section Co-Chair (2008-2010)
- Mentor/Mentee Committee Chair (2007-2008)
- Youth Courthouse Project Committee Member (2007-2008)
- Social Committee (2006-2008)
- Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, Montgomery County Chapter
- Triennial Auction Co-Chair (2010, 2013, 2016)
- Immediate Past President (2017-2018)
- President (2016-2017)
- President-Elect (2015-2016)
- Member at Large (2013-2014)
- Women’s Bar Association of Maryland, Executive Committee Member at Large (2017-2018)
- Voices for Children Montgomery, Board Member (2020-present)
- Lecturer on Family Law topics