Heather Rae Pierson

Heather Rae Pierson

4.0
Rating: 7.2

Licensed for 17 years

Education Lawyer at Mesa, AZ
Practice Areas: Education

1138 North Alma School Road, Suite 101, Mesa, AZ

About Heather

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Arizona for 17 years

State: Arizona

Acquired: 2009

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Udall Shumway PLC

1138 North Alma School Road, Suite 101, Mesa, AZ, 85201

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Heather Rae Pierson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (4) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
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5 stars 3
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2 stars 0
1 star 1
Practice Areas

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Professionalism

Posted by anonymous | October 18, 2025 | Education

“Fails to Protect Vulnerable Children — Families Deserve Better”

In my personal experience, Attorney Heather Pierson showed a complete lack of compassion and understanding for children with disabilities. In my opinion, she has failed to protect vulnerable special-needs students from unsafe and harmful placements, even when serious concerns were brought to her atte...ntion. I expected an attorney representing a public school district to uphold the highest standards of ethics, fairness, and child advocacy. Instead, I felt that my concerns about student safety were dismissed and minimized. I would not recommend her for any case involving children, education, or disability rights. Families deserve advocates who put the well-being of students first.

See All Client Reviews

Heather Rae Pierson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Heather
Anthony William Contente-Cuomo headshot
Anthony Contente-Cuomo

Education lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Co-worker

"Heather is a dedicated professional with an intimate knowledge of all special education law related issues. Her attention to detail is unsurpassed and her insights invaluable. If you are in need of special education related law advocacy I strongly urge you to contact Heather."

Geneva Louise Englebrecht headshot
Geneva Englebrecht

Education lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Other

"I have known Heather Pierson for many years and strongly endorse her as an attorney. As a colleague, I find her level of professionalism, passion, and dedication to be extraordinary. Her expansive knowledge of the law and superior instincts make her a skilled litigator; but also important is her ability to identify with her clients. As a former educator Ms. Pierson is instinctively cognizant of her client circumstances which allows her to zealously advocate for their position."

Matthew Lee White headshot
Matthew White

Education lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Heather is a well prepared, diligent and very knowledgeable attorney. I have worked with her on a number of cases, and I can recommend her without hesitation."

Candyce B Pardee headshot
Candyce Pardee

Education lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this attorney. I often refer clients to her in the area of special education."

View All Endorsements
Candyce B Pardee headshot
Candyce Pardee

Education lawyer

Jill K. Osborne headshot
Jill Osborne

Education lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.2 (Very Good)

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Partner, Udall Shumway PLC

2009 - 2015

Associate, Udall Shumway PLC

2008 - 2009

Law Clerk, Udall Shumway PLC

2007 - 2007

Extern, California State Council on Development Disabilities, Area Board XI

2006 - 2006

Extern, Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program

2006 - 2006

Internship, Whittier Law School Special Education Clinic

2005 - 2008

Officiating Program Administrative Assistant, Big West Conference

2004 - 2005

Assistant Site Coordinator, THINK Together

2001 - 2004

Teacher, Mesa Public Schools

Associations

2009 - Present

State Bar of Arizona

Member

2009 - Present

Arizona School Boards Association

Member

2009 - Present

National School Boards Association

Member

2009 - Present

Arizona Council of School Attorneys

Member

2009 - Present

Special Education Administrators Association

Member

Education

2008

Whittier College School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2004

Arizona State University

M.Ed.

2001

Arizona State University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

Arizona School Board Association Conference

Fulfilling Your Legal Obligations While Holding Down Costs

2013

1st Annual Charter School Special Education Conference

IEP and Placement Issues

2012

National Business Institute

School Bullying: A Legal Primer

2012

National Business Institute

Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights

2012

CASE/CEC Conference

OCR, Due Process, and State Complaints...Oh My!

2012

Arizona Charter Schools Association 2012 Annual Conference

Hot Topics in Charter School Law - Or - What to Do When the ---- Hits the Fan?

2012

Arizona Charter School Association

"OCR, due Process, and State complaints...Oh My! Top Ten Tips to Avoid Complaints"

2011

CASE/CEC Conference

Recent Cases in Arizona & Other Arizona Matters

2010

CASE/CEC Conference

Recent Cases in Arizona & Other Arizona Matters

2007

2007 Whittier Law School Special Education Symposium

Panel Speaker

2006

11Q Deletion Syndrome Conference

Panel Speaker

Publications

2011

Charter School Monthly “The Necessary Burden of Public Records” (Co-author)

2011

Charter School Monthly “Parrots, Horses, and Dogs…Oh My!” (Co-author)

2011

Charter School Monthly “Is It a True Threat?” (Co-author)

Languages

English

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