Mary Jo Heston
Seattle/Portland
Shareholder
hestonm@lanepowell.com
206.223.7015
Areas of Practice
Mary Jo Heston focuses her practice on contract, commercial litigation and transactional work;
business bankruptcies, reorganizations, receiverships and workouts; Uniform Commercial Code
creditors’ remedies; and international insolvency matters. Mary Jo is licensed in both Washington
and Oregon, and splits her time between the Firm’s Seattle and Portland offices. Mary Jo has worked
on several large high profile bankruptcy cases throughout the United States and Canada including
Pacific Gas & Electric (Northern California); General Motors (New York); Yellowstone Club World
(Montana); Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping, Inc (Colorado); and Pope & Talbot (Delaware/
Toronto) and Dendreon Inc. (Delaware). She also has represented several receivers in cases in
Washington and Oregon. She has also been involved in several cross-border insolvency matters and
Chapter 15 cases in the Northwest working primarily on behalf of Canadian receivers and Canadian
creditors. Mary Jo also currently is assisting Leavitt Machinery, a large Canadian heavy equipment
dealer, to expand its operations into the United States.
Chambers USA’s Guide to America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and its sources stated that Mary Jo
“is singled out as an ‘extremely bright’ lawyer,” and described her as “a very solid and professional
attorney who is sound in her judgment.” The publication also stated that Mary Jo is praised as being
“incredibly knowledgeable on cross-border matters, and is always responsive and service oriented.”
Professional Experience
Seattle University, Adjunct Professor, Debtor Creditor Law (1984-2004)
University of Washington School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Corporate Reorganization Course (1997-1999)
United States Trustee, Region 18 (1988-1993)
Admitted to Practice
Washington
Oregon
U.S. District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Academics
University of Puget Sound (J.D., cum laude, 1980)
University of Washington (B.S., cum laude, 1975)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Member, Lane Powell Board of Directors (2012)
Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights — Oil and Gas Industry
Business Crisis Management and Emergency Remedies
Canada Practice
Financial Institutions
Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Publications
“The Absolute Priority Rule: Zachary v. California Bank & Trust,” Lane Powell Legal Update,
Co-author (February 24, 2016)
“Throwing a Lifeline — How to Acquire Troubled Assets Using a Lawyer’s Toolbox,” Seattle Business
magazine (December 2009)
“Alternatives to Bankruptcy: Receiverships, Assignments for Benefit of Creditors and Informal Work Out Arrangements,” Inside the Minds: Adapting to Evolutions in Bankruptcy Law, Aspatore Books (2009)
Author of Bankruptcy Chapter, Washington Practice Series
Speaking Engagements
“Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Law Update,” Eastern District of Washington Bankruptcy Retreat (June 2003-2015)
“Bankruptcy Litigation as a Strategic TMA Tool” (May 7, 2013)
“Bankruptcy Litigation,” Washington State Bar Association, Persuasive Pleadings (February 5, 2013)
“Who’s on First? Battles Over Judicial Authority Under Stern v. Marshall,” Washington State Bar Association and Oregon State Bar Association’s 25th Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute (April 27, 2012)
“Reorganization vs. Liquidation in Chapter 11 Cases,” Washington State Bar Association and Oregon State Bar Association’s 24th Annual Northwest Bankruptcy Institute (April 8, 2011)
Awards and Honors
Named as one of The Best Lawyers in America®, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency
and Reorganization (2013-2016)
Recommended by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Bankruptcy/Restructuring
(2006, 2009-2016)
Named as a “Washington Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers® magazine, Bankruptcy & Creditor/Debtor
Rights (2006-2016) (“Top 50 Women Washington Super Lawyers” (2008-2015) and “Top 100
Washington Super Lawyers” (2008))
Recognized for her work in bankruptcy law by The Legal 500 (United States) (2009)
Sidney C. Volinn Award of Merit, Washington State Bar Association (2003)
AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
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Professional and Community Activities
Member, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, Education Committee (2015-2016)
Fellow, American College of Bankruptcy Lawyers (2001-Present)
Board Member, Foundation Board
Member, Pro Bono Committee
Member, Academic Outreach Committee
American Bankruptcy Institute, Former Board Member, Contributing Author to ABI Journal
INSOL Committee Chair and Board Member (1996-1999)
Washington State Bar Association
Creditor Debtor Executive Committee (1988-1996)
Turnaround Management Association
Board of Trustees (2013-Present)
President of NW Chapter and Board Member (2004)
Member (2001-Present)
CENTS (Pro Bono Bankruptcy Group)
President (2012-2014)
Board Member (1996- Present)
Vice President (2010-2012)
Debt Clinic Attorney (1999-2011)
Secretary (2005-2010)
Board Member, St. John’s/ABI Law Review (1993-2003)
Board Member, American Bankruptcy Law Journal (2005-2006)
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