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Heather Gilbert

Heather Gilbert
Rated by Super Lawyers


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“Employment Discrimination Case Audio Transcription I would definitely recommend Gilbert Law. They were the strong voice that I needed to win my case and fight for justice. I first came to Gilbert Law for representation because I was born with severe…”
– Michelle
“Heather was wonderful to work with. She experienced in litigation and negotiation strategies, advocacy, and understanding the nuances of communicating with other lawyers, judges, and mediators. Her ability to remain calm under pressure, her intuition…”
– E.G., ★★★★★ Google Review
“I’ve known Heather as colleague and friend for over ten years. She is highly intelligent, a powerful and fearless advocate for her clients and conducts herself with integrity. Heather has a passion for what she does. I’ve referred a numbe…”
– Tim T., ★★★★★ Google Review
“Gilbert Law exceeded our expectation! Wonderful people to work with! Felt valued and respected during all parts of the process. Will definitely be recommending them.”
– C.M., ★★★★★ Google Review
“Working With Gilbert Law Audio Transcription As an individual with a significant visual impairment, I really wanted to get a behind the scenes look at what it’s like to run a law firm and working with people with disabilities. Clients can expec…”
– Tim
“My family hired Gilbert Law to discuss estate planning options. The information was very complex but they were able to break it down and explain it in a simplified way. They were very patient and professional with our myriad of questions. I would def…”
– Sarah M., ★★★★★ Google Review
“Heather is honest, professional, and straight-forward. I think she works really hard to do the right thing. This is much appreciated.”
– Business Client, ★★★★★ Google Review
“I was so stressed out, didn’t know what to do or which way to go. Heather was more comfortable using sign language than I am and her confidence is ‘REAL’. She knows the law and understood what position I was put in. My journey was a lot less st…”
– D.C., ★★★★★ Avvo Review
“Estate Planning Experience Audio Transcription It was wonderful. They were very kind. Very helpful. Made it very easy for us to work together. We came to Gilbert Law, primarily to update an existing will and to establish a health care directive. It w…”
– Curt and Kim
“Heather ended my sleepless nights and guided me through the application of the law to my case. She was the perfect mix of approachable, knowledgeable and professional. I had consultations with other lawyers prior to working with Heather. She blew the…”
– J., ★★★★★ Avvo Review
“Gilbert Law helped me by breaking down communication barriers I experienced at my county government. I now have access to accurate and timely captioning of recorded government meetings that looks just like TV captioning. Many thanks for making it hap…”
– Sonny
“ Business Planning Experience Audio Transcription One of the reasons why I came to Gilbert Law is because we launched a new firm and I needed somebody who not only understood the law aspect of it, but the mission that I was engaged with – wh…”
– Paul
“I had a great experience with Gilbert Law. She was very responsive to my needs and in making sure I understood the whole process. She was always willing to make time to connect with me through email, text, videophone, or one on one meetings. I felt s…”
– Jessie G.
“Heather was great and confident in her work during the investigation period. she went above and beyond to get me what I want. I would recommend if anyone has questions reach out to her she is very helpful.”
– Brent H. ★★★★★ Google Review
“We had an initial consultation with Heather about some aspects of my wife’s work situation. While our particular situation was not something she could help with directly, she point us to other individuals and resources that we could make use of…”
– Steven H ★★★★★ on Google

Heather Gilbert is the President and Managing Attorney of Gilbert Law PLLC.  Ms. Gilbert is a Plaintiff’s attorney representing individuals of protected classes–primarily female executives and individuals with disabilities–with discrimination claims against employers, public accommodations, and government entities.  She has argued and represented Plaintiffs in state, federal and appellate courts around the country.

Ms. Gilbert is the only attorney in Minnesota that is also a court-certified sign language interpreter and is well-versed in working with deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and hearing-impaired clients.  Gilbert Law does not hesitate to take on the largest of defendants to represent individuals that have been treated disparately because of who they are.  She has represented clients in Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Maryland, Texas, California, and Pennsylvania. She is admitted to practice in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin federal courts.

In addition to practicing law, Ms. Gilbert is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Mitchell Hamline School of Law teaching from time to time the following courses: Lawyering as a Business Owner, Deals and Dispute Resolution, Transactions and Settlements, Advanced Advocacy and the Expert Witness Academy.  She is a frequent CLE presenter for Minnesota attorneys, and was nominated by her peers in 2014 to 2021 to the Super Lawyer’s Rising Star List.  Ms. Gilbert lectures and teaches for the National Institute of Trial Advocates (NITA) on depositions and trial skills.

Ms. Gilbert serves as a board member of the Ramsey County Bar Association and is a member of the Second Judicial District Lawyer’s Ethics Committee.  She is also an active member of the Minnesota Women’s Lawyers Association and the MSBA Solo Small Experience Council.

Ms. Gilbert resides in the northeast suburbs of the Twin Cities with her husband, three school-aged children, and Shichon.  She volunteers for her children’s school advisory board and teaches at her local church.  Her hobbies include performing in musical theater, painting, and watching Notre Dame football games.

Education

  • Juris Doctor, cum laude
    William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN  2012
    Selected Activities: American Association of Justice Mock Trial Competition, National William McGee Civil Rights
    Moot Court. CALI Award for Pre-Trial Litigation
  • Bachelor of Arts, cum laude
    Bethel College, Mishawaka, IN  2002
    Major: Sign Language Interpreting/Translating English
    Minor Concentrations: Dance, Biblical Literature and History
    Bethel Seminary at Bethel University, Shoreview, MN 2004-2006
    Major: Theological Studies, coursework in the Master of Arts Program

Bar and Court Admissions

  • State Court of Minnesota, 2012
  • United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 2012
  • United States District Court, District of North Dakota, 2016
  • United States District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 2019

Certifications

  • Certificate of Mediation, Mitchell Hamline School of Law, 2011
  • Specialist Certificate: Legal, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 2009
  • Certificate of Transliteration, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 2005
  • Certificate of Interpretation, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, 2004

Minnesota Human Rights Act or American With Disabilities Act Title I (Employment Discrimination)

  • Pagenkopf v. United Parcel Services, Inc. No. CIV. 17-01081 DWF/SER Deaf employee with discrimination claims against UPS for failure to promote to delivery driver prevailed on a denial of UPS’s motion for summary judgment. 2019 District of Minnesota decision.
  • Burnell v. Tealwood Care Centers et. al. No. CIV. 16-03001 MJD/KMM Temporarily disabled nursing home director prevailed on a denial of Defendant’s motion for summary judgment on her state and federal disability discrimination claims. 2018 District of Minnesota decision.

Minnesota Human Rights Act or American With Disabilities Act Title II and III (Discrimination at a Public Service or Public Accommodation)

  • Saunders et. al. v. Mayo Clinic, No. CIV. 13-1972 JNE/HB, 2015 WL 774132 (D. Minn. Feb. 24, 2015); Deaf patient and her Deaf companion prevailed on a denial of Mayo Clinic’s motion for summary judgment.
  • Nathanson et. al. v. Spring Lake Park Panther Youth Football Ass’n, 129 F. Supp. 3d 743 (D. Minn. 2015). Deaf parents and their two Deaf sons prevailed on a denial of football association’s motion to dismiss.  The matter was settled for monetary damages and corrective action requiring football association to provide ongoing effective communication for all future deaf football players and their deaf parents.
  • Read v. City of Oakdale, Before the Department of Human Rights, Probable Cause Finding of Disability Discrimination, $30,000 Settlement and Corrective Action Procedures to Provide Effective Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Detainees.
  • Letourneau v. Bank of America, Before the Department of Human Rights, $150,000 Settlement and Corrective Action Procedures to Provide Effective Communication for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Customers.
  • Zimmerman et. al. v. Essentia Health,  15-CV-02441 United States District Court of Minnesota, $129,000 Settlement and Corrective Action Procedures to Provide On-Call ASL Interpreters for Deaf Patients and Companions.
  • “Law Firm Staffing: Practical Perspectives” Minnesota CLE Webinar, December 2019.
  • “Staffing a Law Firm: Contractors, Employees, and Partnerships” Minnesota CLE Business of Law Institute, November, 2019.
  • “Running a Solo Litigation Firm: Alternative and Efficient Solutions For Success” Minnesota CLE Solo/Small Firm Institute, Duluth, MN, August 2019.
  • “Staffing a Law Firm: Ethical Considerations” Minnesota CLE Solo/Small Firm Institute, Duluth, MN, August 2019.
  • “Investigator Training: Medical Records in Employment; When An Employer Goes Too Far” MSBA Labor and Employment Law Section, April 2019.
  • “Effective Communication Across Languages And Cultures Through Interpreters” MSBA Criminal Law Section; April 2019.
  • Keynote Speaker, Minnesota Registry of Interpreters For the Deaf State Conference, October 2018.
  • “Working with Deaf Clients and Interpreters” Minnesota CLE, May 2016.
  • “Working with Deaf Clients and Interpreters” Ramsey County Bar Association, May 2016.
  • “12 Tips: Advising Closely Held Businesses” Minnesota CLE, February 2016.
  • “Ask the Lawyer: What Are My Rights to Communication Access?” Eau Claire, Wisconsin, February 2016.
  • “Ask the Lawyer: What Are My Rights to Communication Access?” Repeat locations in Minnesota, Spring 2015.
  • “Ask the Lawyer Chat: What Happens to My Stuff and My Family When I Die?” St. Catherine University, February 2015.
  • “Working with Deaf Clients and Interpreters” William Mitchell College of Law Alumni CLE Series, November 2014.
  • “Accommodating to Your Client’s Disabilities and Special Needs” Ramsey County Bar Association CLE, September 2013.
  • “Working with Deaf Clients and Interpreters” Ramsey County Bar Association CLE Elimination of Bias, November 2012.
  • “Interpreting for Legal Conversations and Depositions” ZVRS Interpreter Continuing Education, November 2012.
  • “Interpreting for Legal Depositions” MRID Fall Conference Interpreter Continuing Education, October 2012.
  • “Legalese for the VRS Interpreter” ZVRS Interpreter Continuing Education, July 2012.
  • “Legalese for the Non-Legal Interpreter” Dynamic Communications Interpreter Continuing Education, May 2012.
  • “Social Media and Your Privacy” MADC State Conference, July 2011.
  • “Deaf Culture and Communication” Minnesota CLE, October 2009.
  • 2021   Super Lawyers Rising Star, Continued Service on the Ramsey County Bar Association Board and the Second Judicial District Ethics Committee, Elected to the MSBA Solo Small Experience Executive Council
  • 2020   Super Lawyers Rising Star, Continued service on the Ramsey County Bar Association Board; Appointed to the Second Judicial District Ethics Committee
  • 2019   Super Lawyers Rising Star, Appointed to Ramsey County Bar Association Board
  • 2018   Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • 2017    Super Lawyers Rising Star, “Access Award” by the Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing
  • 2016    Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • 2015    Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • 2015    Ramsey County Bar Association:  Solo/Small Firm Section Co-Chair
  • 2014    Super Lawyers Rising Star
  • 2014    Ramsey County Bar Association:  Solo/Small Firm Section Co-Chair
  • 2012    CALI Award recipient: Pre-Trial Litigation
  • Ramsey County Bar Association: Board Member 2019 to present. Committees: Solo/Small Firm Section.
  • Minnesota State Bar Association: Practice Management Section, Council Member. Member: Civil Litigation Section, Labor and Employment Section.
  • Minnesota Women Lawyers: Solo/Small Firm Affinity Group.
  • National Employment Lawyers Association–Minnesota Chapter: Member.
  • Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf: National and Minnesota Chapter; Member.
  • Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens: Member.
  • United Blind Association: Member.
  • Mitchell Hamline School of Law: Alumni Mentor and Student Externship Site.