Heather Giordanella helps clients resolve business, product liability and consumer protection disputes so that they can carry on their mission-focused work. With more than 20 years of commercial litigation experience — enriched by her background assisting and undertaking the judicial discovery work of a Special Master — Heather understands the financial and temporal costs of courtroom disputes. Her practice aims to reduce risk, conserve client resources and expedite resolution, and she combines the efficiency and circumspection of a Special Master with the grit and practical fact-finding skills of a seasoned litigator to achieve those results.
Heather is a past president of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL), the oldest women’s bar association. Before assuming the role of president in 2011, she participated as an officer and member of the board for several years. Heather has also served in a key leadership role in a comprehensive training program for new associates.
Business and Commercial Litigation
Heather defends clients against state-led qui tam suits and allegations related to consumer protection violations. She also litigates product liability, real estate, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and tortious interference claims. In addition, Heather has counseled clients in construction and contractor disputes and has defended against claims to enforce mechanics’ liens.
Special Master Services
Heather previously assisted now-retired Special Master Gregory P. Miller. Together, they oversaw discovery in thousands of federal cases transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania for coordinated and consolidated pretrial proceedings in the In Re: Diet Drugs product liability litigation as well as the resolution of disputes related to claims submitted to the settlement trust. Heather developed discovery procedures, resolved discovery disputes and acted as a liaison between the district court and outside parties. The district court has appointed Heather to serve as the Special Master as the litigation and activities of the settlement trust continue.
