Heather Collier | Foley Divorce & Family Law Lawyer

• Member, Alabama State Bar Association
• Board Member, Mary's Shelter,
  2014 - Present
• Member, Mobile Criminal Defense Lawyers Association,
  2013 - Present
• Member, Baldwin County Bar Association,
  2013 - Present
• Member, South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce,
  2013 - Present
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers,
  2010 - Present

• Best Paper Gaming Law, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law
  2009

I have had a big impact in several clients lives in the recent year or so . In one case, I helped my clients get full custody of non-biological children who they are now getting ready to adopt. I have had successful parole hearings for clients. One client was in prison on drug charges and we were able to get him an earlier parole hearing date and he is now a contributing member of society out on parole. Another client was serving time for Murder and had violated his parole. I represented him before the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles and he was released to become a productive member of society and a father to his young children. One of my clients was embroiled in a nasty child support case, owing over $50,000.00 in past-due child support. When we were finished with his case, he no longer owed any arrears and had been given credit for additional payments. Case with DHR successfully closed. I have also helped others obtain successful divorces in order to be able to move on with their lives and do what is best for them and their children.

I have built a successful practice by word-of-mouth, the best type of referralsferals, which includes referrals from clients of mine, as well as other attorneys I have built professional relationships with. It also helps that the clients deal exclusively with me and not a secretary for all of their needs.

Clients should look for a lawyer they have a good rapport with. Someone they can build a strong attorney-client relationship with that they trust to zealously represent the Client. My website, www.collierlawllc.com, has a Client Expectations page that sets out what an attorney should expect from a client and what a client expects from an attorney.

Local knowledge is pretty important in the courtroom. Knowing your judge, your audience, the Board that you are appearing before helps a case transition more smoothly and helps to get things done in a timely manner.

In a free phone consultation, I can provide information geared toward the client's legal issues and offer some advice as to the best way to handle those issues. However, I like to meet clients, so I encourage them to come in when necessary. Free phone consultations do not apply to pardon/parole issues.

If a Client is planning a consult, they will need to e-mail any and all documents to me that relate to the issue(s) at-hand, so that I may review them at least 48 hours prior to the consult. This includes any documents filed by the other party or with the court. Examples of documents include: divorce & child custody paperwork, pay stubs of both parties to calculate child support, charges/warrants if a criminal matter, timesheets and certificates if a Pardon or Parole matter.

I am dedicated to my client's cause and try to help them to the extent possible. My experience with the Family Violence Clinic have led me to help many women who are seeking divorces and custody of their children, who may also be escaping dangerous situations. The experienced I gained working for the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles Legal Division while in law school has helped me to successfully get early parole hearings and eventual paroles for many clients. I have also been able to help those eligible for pardons. I have personal experience with how important estate planning is, having lost my sister at the age of 23 in a car accident. I want to help others avoid the additional heartache we had to deal with in settling an estate. Proper planning is key.

The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to help those in need obtain quality legal representation.

My interests outside of law include crafting, tending to my menagerie of animals and spending time with my family and friends.

I am involved in several organizations. I am a Board Member of Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast, which helps provide a refuge for pregnant women who have no family support or housing, allowing them to deliver their babies in a safe environment, while learning job skills to help them once they are on their own. I am also a member of the Baldwin County Bar Association, the Mobile Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, AILA and the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.