Prior BigLaw Experience
- Latham & Watkins, LLP
- Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP
Licenses
- Texas, California
Court Admissions
All state and federal courts in Texas and California, including:
- Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, and Eastern District of Texas (including all Bankruptcy Courts);
- Northern District of California, Central District of California, Eastern District of California, and Southern District of California (including all Bankruptcy Courts);
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Education
- B.A. Plan II Honors / Philosophy University of Texas at Austin 1997
- M.Phil Creative Writing, Oscar Wilde Centre, High Honors, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, 2000
- J.D. with Honors, University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 2007
Practice Areas
Brief Bio
Mary Elizabeth’s practice focuses on all aspects of bankruptcy, restructuring, and real estate.
She has significant experience representing creditors, business debtors, and court appointed professionals. Because of her real estate acumen, she is especially interested in representing debtors in single asset real estate bankruptcy cases as well as any case or situation where real estate matters are paramount.
Mary Elizabeth has real estate experience including loan document preparation on behalf of lenders. She also has significant experience in ad valorem tax practice and in all aspects of collections through bankruptcy, foreclosures, and litigation.
Mary Elizabeth takes great pride in her personal service and ability to move seamlessly between originations and then state and bankruptcy courts in collection matters so that her clients may rest assured that their interests are always represented and that no one slips through the cracks.
The Rest of the Story
Mary Elizabeth was born in San Antonio, Texas. She is a seventh generation Texan with ancestors who lived in San Antonio at least as far back as the early 1700s.
Mary Elizabeth graduated from Saint Mary’s Hall as a “12-year girl.” After high school, she graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree from the esteemed Plan II program.
After a few years pursuing creative pursuits in New York City, and subsequently, Dublin, Ireland, she graduated from Trinity College with a Master’s degree (M. Phil) in Creative Writing with high honors.
After teaching English and film writing for four years at Saint Mary’s Hall and then the Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, she returned to the University of Texas School of Law. She received her J.D. in 2007.
After law school, she lived in San Francisco, where she practiced at Latham & Watkins, LLP. Later, she moved back to San Antonio and practiced at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP before opening her own practice.
She is thrilled to join Grable Martin PLLC where she can work with so many talented attorneys!
Mary Elizabeth Heard is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute, the American Bar Association, and the Larry E. Kelly Inn of Court.
