Heather Peterson
Heather Peterson is an experienced trial lawyer who for the past 25 years has consistently earned positive results — including acquittals — for her clients in federal and state courts throughout Texas. She has successfully advocated for her clients in a broad array of criminal investigations and jury trials from complex white collar and environmental prosecutions to capital murder. Heather’s recent victories include a verdict of “Not Guilty” on behalf of the plant manager of Arkema’s organic peroxide facility on environmental charges and playing a critical role on the defense team who won a “Not Guilty” in federal court in Fort Worth for the Boeing Chief Technical Pilot in the Boeing MAX crash trial.
Chambers & Partners describes Heather as having “considerable expertise spanning white collar investigations as well as trials in both state and federal court. She’s a very strategic thinker and a great white-collar lawyer. She’s been around the block and is a pro.”
Heather is active in the community, particularly in public education – serving in various roles on HISD school PTO boards for many years. She recently organized and founded a much needed after school program for children of working parents at HISD’s largest middle school.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER
JD, 1998
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS
BA, 1995
Prior Associations
NUGENT & PETERSON
Founder & managing partner
2012-2024
FOREMAN DEGEURIN & NUGENT
2004 – 2012
FOREMAN DEGEURIN NUGENT & GERGER
1999-2004
RUSTY HARDIN & ASSOCIATES
1998-1999
Representative Matters
Heather has defended clients under investigation by various federal and state agencies in cases involving environmental crimes, commodities market manipulation, public corruption, fraud, money laundering, and other allegations.
Cases include:
- Acquittal of the Boeing pilot charged in the 737 Max indictment.
- Directed verdict of “Not Guilty” for Arkema Crosby plant manager after 5 weeks of jury trial. Read more about this here.
- No charges filed against plant manager in Pasadena industrial fire incident, investigated by CSB, OSHA and EPA-CID.
- No charges filed against employee in NASA metals fraud investigation, investigation conducted by DOJ.
- Dismissal of capital murder charges against well-known Houston plaintiff’s attorney just days before jury selection. Read more about this here.
- Dismissal of all federal charges against prominent Houston businessman after 8-year investigation and indictment by DOJ. Read more about this here.
- Rule 29 dismissal granted in obstruction charge that employee who allegedly lied to corporate counsel during an internal investigation was deemed to have obstructed the government.
- Successful defense of El Paso Corporation natural gas trader in federal jury trial which was the first “false price reporting” case to be tried in the country; Rule 29 granted and count dismissed as to novel prosecution theory of obstruction of justice; acquittals on all “false reporting” counts.
- Successful representation of fifteen witnesses in SEC investigation of oil company’s Reserve Revisions.
- Successful representation of oil company trader in federal grand jury investigation conducted by Department of Justice regarding alleged propane market manipulation.
- Successful representation of natural gas trader employed by Fortune 500 company in CFTC investigation.
- Successful representation of numerous employees of large privately held international company in FCPA investigation.
Professional Activities & Awards
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- Chambers & Partners rated in Texas, White Collar Crime & Government Investigations – 2021, 2022, 2023
- Center for Women in the Law, Leader
- Houston’s Top Lawyers, Criminal Defense White Collar – 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019
- National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers – 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Houston’s Top Lawyers, Criminal Defense – 2012, 2019
- Houston’s Top Lawyers for the People – 2009
- “Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star” – 2008
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
