Heidi concentrates her practice in civil defense litigation, including auto litigation, premises liability, business disputes, workers’ compensation and the defense of asbestos claims. Her clients have included mortgage companies, construction and excavation companies, gas station owners, disposal companies, farm chemical companies, automobile dealerships, and real estate companies.

Heidi has tried a number of cases to verdict. In addition to her experience in civil litigation and insurance-related matters, Heidi has represented corporate clients in contract and other business disputes. She has also represented municipalities in various litigation matters and zoning issues.

Heidi began practicing law in 2000. She joined the firm’s Rockford office in 2006 and became a partner in 2012. In 2019, Heidi went in house with an insurance company who wrote legal professional liability policies and obtained her adjuster’s license. In the spring of 2020, Heidi returned to Heyl Royster as of counsel bringing with her the experience she gained working in house. Her participation in professional associations includes serving as Vice-Chair of the American Bar Association’s Commercial Transportation Committee and as Vice-Chair of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys’ Diversity Committee.

"Latent Diseases Which Give Rise to Claims Brought Under the Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act," Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2021) – Read Article

“How to Prepare Witnesses for, and Protect Them from, the Reptile During Trial,” For The Defense (2017) - Download Article

“Tracy Morgan Settled His Suit, But Left Behind Potential Issues Concerning A Driver’s Uncompensated Off Duty Activities,” ABA Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee Newsletter (2016) - Download Article

“Outsmarting the Trucking Reptile”
Defense Research Institute (DRI), May 2017

“When Social Media Becomes Socially Awkward”
Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2016

“Liability for Distracted Driving”
Heyl Royster 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2015

“Speedy Payments of Settlements Under the New Law”
Winnebago County Bar Association 2014

“Write that Check-Payments of Settlements”
29th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2014

“Premises Liability Update”
27th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2012

“Premises Liability Case Updates”
Winnebago County Bar Association 2011

“Building a Solid Foundation for Defense: Statement Taking Techniques”
26th Annual Claims Handling Seminar 2011

• Selected as a Leading Lawyer in Illinois. Only five percent of lawyers in the state are named as Leading Lawyers.

• Winnebago County Bar Foundation, Board of Directors 
• Winnebago County Bar Association, Trial and Appellate Section, Chair 
• Illinois State Bar Association  
• Winnebago County Arbitrator 
• Defense Research Institute (DRI) 
• Transportation Lawyer Association 
• American Bar Association, Commercial Transportation Committee, Vice-Chair 
• Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA), Diversity Committee, Vice-Chair

• State Courts of Illinois
• United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois

• Member, Rockford Chamber of Commerce 
• Graduate, of the Rockford Chamber Leadership/Community Awareness class. 
• Former Board of Directors Member, Discovery Center Museum
• Contributing writer to the monthly newsletter published by the Winnebago County Bar Association 
• Former Board Member, Lifescape