Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm, has expanded its Litigation Practice Group with Jason Heep in Dallas. Heep represents major insurance companies with significant exposure claims that pose extreme risk of loss to the company. Heep joins Akerman from Husch Blackwell LLP in Dallas.
“Jason is known for helping clients make solid business decisions when it comes to the insurance coverage world, particularly with environmental issues,” said Lawrence Rochefort, chair of Akerman’s Litigation Practice Group. “His background as an environmental engineering and complex commercial litigation lawyer will be of crucial benefit to our insurance clients who are navigating increased enforcement regulations.”
Heep has litigated and resolved commercial disputes, complex insurance coverage issues, and environmental remediation matters across the country for almost 20 years. He uses his environmental engineering background to assist with environmental regulatory compliance and preventive measures to avoid disputes and mitigate future risks. He has extensive experience with a wide variety of insurance claims, including environmental liabilities, asbestos, mass tort claims, property damage, and business interruption. Heep has experience litigating CERCLA contribution and enforcement actions. He also is at the forefront of novel insurance issues like COVID-19 claims and emerging contaminants, including PFAS. In addition, Heep focuses on mitigating potential loss exposures, such as the use of subrogation strategies, reinsurance recoveries, policy buybacks, asset sales, regulatory relief, and real estate workouts. He also handles other forms of risk-transfer devices, such as reinsurance treaties, contractual indemnities, and surety bonds.
Heep is the most recent lateral to join Akerman’s national Litigation Practice Group. The team also deepened its experience in bet-the-company litigation and commercial disputes with five litigators in New York led by Craig Weiner and Lisa Coyle. In Houston, Akerman welcomed veteran trial lawyer Joel Mohrman and Andy Cao, growing Akerman’s experience in intellectual property litigation, class actions, and complex commercial litigation, particularly in the healthcare and maritime sectors. The Houston office also added litigation partner William Sentell, with experience in franchise dispute resolution and related corporate, regulatory, and compliance matters. In addition, first chair trial lawyer Adam Massaro joined the national team in Denver, with experience in complex commercial litigation.
