Degrees

B.S., Our Lady of Holy Cross College; J.D., Loyola University College of Law

Short Bio

Heather Gattuso Lambert, Esq., Judicial Internship and Clerkship Advisor and 2L Career Counselor, in the Career Development and Law Practice Center at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, received her Juris Doctor from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law in May 2004 and received her undergraduate degrees from Our Lady of Holy Cross College where she was on the Dean’s List majoring in Social and Juvenile Counseling.

Prior to and while attending law school, she clerked for her father, Philip A. Gattuso. While there, Heather assisted in the general civil practice with primary emphasis in Real Estate, Successions, Contracts, Family Law, Bankruptcy, Personal Injury and general civil litigation.

In addition, while in school, Heather worked as a research assistant for Professor Monica Hof Wallace where she assisted in the drafting of the law review publication entitled, The Pitfalls of a Putative Marriage and the Call for a Putative Divorce, 64 La. L. Rev. 71 (2003). As a student member, from 2002 to 2004, Heather was active in the St. Thomas More Inn of Court.

Heather was admitted to practice law in October 2004.

Following graduation, Heather clerked for the Honorable Robin M. Giarrusso of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, where she was engaged in all aspects of civil litigation.

From 2005-2006 Heather returned to work with her father as an associate in the Law Office of Philip A. Gattuso focusing on general civil litigation.

In 2006, Heather accepted employment and returned to the academic setiing as a Career Counselor in the Career Development and Law Practice Center, at Loyola’s College of Law, focusing on assisting students with internship and clerkship opportunities in the judicial sector. In addition to judicial internship and clerkship counseling, Heather counsels all second year students on their career interests.

Since October 2006, in her capacity as career counselor, Heather has individually counseled 2L students and students interested in working as judicial interns and clerks. Heather has marketed her program, “A Day in the Life of A Judicial Clerk,” has accompanied students to Rule/Exception/Motion days in local courts, has conducted multiple informational sessions concerning judicial internships and clerkships, has hosted the judiciary on campus for informational sessions and has attended seminars and conferences to boost productivity in career services, professional development and recruitment of professionals. Each spring Heather educates and advises students on the hiring plan for the federal judiciary including the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR). Each summer, Heather coordinates outreach to members of the judiciary in an effort to cultivate relationships for internships and clerkships and to establish recognition of Loyola students outside the immediate New Orleans area.

Heather is a member of the John C. Boutall Inn of Court, the Jefferson Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association and the Association for Legal Career Professionals (NALP). Heather is a member and former treasurer of the Association of Women Attorneys. She is a previous Board Member of the SUNBELT Minority Recruitment Program which is held in Dallas, Texas every September. Heather is currently treasurer of the New Orleans Legal Recruiter’s Association.

The September 2007 issue of The Association For Legal Career Professionals (NALP) featured Heather’s article entitled, “The State of Legal Services in New Orleans Two Years Following Katrina.”

Additionally, Heather spearheads the Professional Correspondence Track in the Career Development Program in the Career Development and Law Practice Center. The Professional Correspondence Track educates students on the art and technique of professional correspondence, including resumes, cover letter letters, thank you notes, follow-up correspondence, acceptance of offers and declination letters and other formal means of communication educating students on resumes, cover letters, thank you notes and follow up letters. In addition to the traditional paper form of communication, this track covers the professional use of the many technological means of communication.
Heather created, and is currently maintaining, the judicial section of Loyola’s Career Development and Law Practice Center’s website which will function as a guide for judicial clerks including links to the judiciary, judicial internship and clerkship opportunities, quotes from judges, clerks and interns and a spotlight section. Heather welcomes comments and suggestions on how to help better serve 2L students and students interested in working with the judiciary.