Dr.Heather Pedersen

I am originally from a small town in Wisconsin, near Eau Claire. I married a young man from my hometown and when I was eighteen, we moved to Orlando, Florida, which was the first stop in his military career in the US Navy. We moved several times during his career- Idaho, New York, and Virginia twice. During the majority of those years, I stayed at home with the children and provided a stable environment throughout relocations, etc.

While in Virginia for the second time, I experienced a divorce and started my life anew. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree at Old Dominion University and majored in both finance and economics in the business school. I realized my passion for economics and excelled academically such that I was able to participate in a competition before the Federal Reserve Board in Richmond, along side a few specially selected colleagues. Old Dominion sent two small teams to compete before the Federal Reserve Board. My team took first place in the presentation before the Board. This was a significant accomplishment for the university and demonstrated the value of an education at Old Dominion, as well as its professors.

My experience before the Federal Reserve Board affirmed my desire to pursue a career in economic analysis. I planned to earn a PhD in economics and hoped to put it to use at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis, which was not far from where I was raised.

During my undergraduate education and as a single parent, I began working in a law office. Ironically, due to my achievements in accounting during my undergraduate degree, a local law firm found me by contacting the school seeking a student who excelled in accounting. I was hired to manage the books at a law firm. I credit this experience as the beginning of my learning process in the law. This job expanded and I learned to work on real estate transactions and my skill set continued to develop. I finished my education at Old Dominion and sought to enroll in a PhD Program.

At the same time, I continued to raise my children. It was at that time I began to understand exactly what a “relocation case” was all about. My ex-husband remained in Virginia and did not agree with the children moving to Minneapolis with me. I decided I needed to change my career path.

By this time, I had been working for several years at another law firm in Newport News. Once I completed my undergraduate degree, I was ready to move on to my next goal. I learned the value of education from my maternal grandmother, who graduated college at a time and place where women did not always have those opportunities. I credit my grandmother for planting in my head- “get your education!” I remember hearing those words from her so many times as I was growing up. I determined that an undergraduate education wasn’t enough for me- I resolved that I would obtain a doctorate level education. I enrolled in the law degree program at Regent University, obtained my bar license, and eventually started my own law practice in 2008.

I experienced many trials during the early years of my education, including having my divorce being appealed to the Court of Appeals of Virginia while I was in law school. (Boedeker v. Larson, 44 Va. App. 508) I did not understand the reason for all of these experiences at the time, but I know now that all of them served to make me a better family law attorney. I gained an understanding not only of divorce, but also custody, and matters related specifically to military divorce. These events have made me the knowledgeable and caring attorney I am today.

I have also had the pleasure of representing a dear lady throughout the entirety of her divorce process, which was ongoing for many years. Her case was heard the trial court, the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Virginia, and appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). You will see reference to this case on the website- Yourko v. Yourko. Arguing in front of the Supreme Court of Virginia was an amazing experience and I am proud to say we prevailed. The opposing party then attempted to take the case to SCOTUS (which denied hearing it), but in the interim, Kyle and I took the steps to be admitted to the highest court in our country. It was a proud moment for both of us.

In more recent years, I decided to return to the classroom again as a student. This time, my goal was to complete a PhD. I studied hard and stuck with it and ultimately was awarded my PhD in criminal justice. This is why you will see the title "Dr." in my name. Attorneys do not take the title of "Dr." unless they have another degree which earns that title.

For my dissertation in my PhD coursework, I studied juveniles in the criminal justice system. In particular, the vulnerability of juveniles in our criminal justice system means we need to treat them differently. I had the pleasure of studying juvenile probation officers in Nevada and their perspectives on the challenges and unique approach to juveniles in the criminal justice system.

When you visit my office, you will find that my staff treats you like family. I am blessed to have wonderful people to work with and you will experience their kindness, too.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, baking, plants, and planning the next fun event or trip. You may see a picture here now and then of a couple of more recent additions to my family- the Maine Coons- Leo, Lucy, and Tina.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you and your family through whatever legal challenges you may be experiencing.