As a senior associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Justin Heather strongly believes that, as a member of the legal profession, he has an obligation to give back to the community. Despite the demanding schedule of an associate in a large firm, Justin devotes substantial time to pro bono cases and writing scholarly and law practice articles. Since he began practicing five and a half years ago, he has logged nearly 3,000 pro bono hours. Just a few of the pro bono clients he has represented include: a death row inmate in state and federal proceedings; a Togolese citizen who suffered political persecution for his pro-democracy activities and membership in human rights groups; a death row inmate in federal habeas corpus proceedings; and clients in race and disability discrimination suits.

In addition to his pro bono work, Justin is actively involved in a number of bar and volunteer activities. He is an Officer of the CBA’s Young Lawyers’ Section (YLS), Co-Editor-in-Chief of the YLS Journal and serves on the board of the CBA Record. Justin has published a number of legal articles, including both practice-related pieces and those directed at more substantive areas of law, that have appeared in the CBA Record, the Illinois Bar Journal, and the Journal of Law & Politics. Justin also serves as a mentor to law students and an informal mentor and confidant for junior lawyers at Skadden, both in their legal practice and in establishing a solid work/life balance.

Justin’s accomplishments within his firm, his exceptional commitment to pro bono service and his outstanding contributions to the profession, the organized bar and the Chicago community make him a role model for all lawyers.