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Heaven Chee

Attorney at Yetter Coleman LLP.

Heaven Chee joined Stop Repeating History’s leadership in 2020, after having been heavily involved in the Asian American Bar Association of Houston and organizing multiple educational events on civil rights and legal history.  While her practice is focused on high-stakes commercial litigation and appeals, with particular emphasis representing clients in the financial services and technology industries, she has maintained an active pro bono practice, handling matters such as Establishment Clause violation claims by would-be LGBT foster parents and Section 1983 claims by prisoners.  

Heaven is a native Houstonian and alumni of Rice University and the University of Virginia School of Law. She has held leadership positions in Houston-based and national organizations such as the Houston Bar Association’s Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession committee, Lambda Legal’s Leadership Committee, Developments in Literacy, and the Federal Lawyer’s editorial board.  She is also an active member of the Federal Bar Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

Heaven is recognized as "One to Watch" in commercial litigation by Best Lawyers in America®. She clerked with the Honorable George C. Hanks, Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and, prior to joining Yetter Coleman LLP, she practiced with Foley & Lardner LLP and Hogan Lovells US LLP.

 

Professional Honors & Affiliations

  • "Ones to Watch" in Commercial Litigation, Best Lawyers in America®, 2021

  • The Federal Lawyer Editorial Board, 2019 - 2021

  • The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board, 2014-2017

  • Asian American Bar Association of Houston (Community Service & Pro Bono Committee Co-Chair, 2018-2019; Secretary, 2017-2018; Nominations Committee Co-Chair, 2016-2017; Gala Committee Co-Chair, 2015-2016)

  • Houston Bar Association (Minority Opportunities in the Legal Profession Committee, 2014-2015)

  • Board Member: Developments in Literacy USA

Presentations & Publications

  • "Redress, Reparations, & Reconciliation in the Black Community: The Role AAPIs Play in Allyship," NAPABA Convention, November 2020 (moderator)

  • "Lifting the Blindfold of Injustice," OCA Greater Houston Film Festival Panel Discussion, June 2020 (panelist)

  • "Contract Performance During Pandemic: Lessons From 1918," Law360, April 17, 2020 (co-author)

  • "Practicum: Mock Appellate Argument: Compelling Arbitration under U.S. Law," International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Symposium, Washington University School of Law, February 2020 (co-presenter)

  • “Lack of Materiality Evidence ‘Zaps’ Mammoth FCA Jury Awards: 5 Lessons,” BNA’s Health Law Reporter, March 2018 (author)

  • “Legal Trends: Upcoming Changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,” The Houston Lawyer, November/December 2015 (author)

Education & Professional Background

  • University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 2013 (Dean’s Scholarship recipient; Editorial Board, 2011-2013, The Virginia Journal of Social Policy & The Law)

  • Rice University, B.A., Philosophy, cum laude, 2010

  • Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. George C. Hanks, Jr., U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, 2013-2014

  • Admitted to practice: Texas, 2013; U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas, 2014; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas, 2016; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2017; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2019