Mr. Heffernan's practice focuses on civil litigation, including business, construction, surety, real estate, insurance and alternative dispute resolution. Mr. Heffernan has achieved the highest rating for legal ability in Martindale-Hubbell, awarded by peer review, for the highest standards of professional skill and ethics. He has also been selected, based on rigorous peer review, for inclusion in the 2008 - 2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in Construction Law, and has been named for professional achievement as a 2007-2010 Maryland Super Lawyer in construction litigation, business litigation and general litigation. Mr. Heffernan's extensive courtroom experience began in 1982 as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, where he defended claims covered by federal employment statutes. Since 1984, he has been in the private practice of law representing design professionals, contractors, developers, insurers, government entities, computer systems integrators, medical service and technology companies, environmental service companies, businesses and individuals in a variety of business, construction, real estate, eminent domain/condemnation, and insurance matters before state and federal courts, administrative bodies and alternative dispute resolution panels. Mr. Heffernan is a frequent lecturer on various legal topics, including design-build construction, green building and green legislation, defective bids and specifications, delay and inefficiency claims, drafting and negotiating contracts, construction claims, liability of owners, contractors and design professionals, alternative dispute resolution, construction defects, mediation, arbitration, mechanics' liens, payment bonds, and liability and ownership of CADD drawings. He is a Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education for Lawyers (MICPEL) Instructor in Construction Law, and is also an Instructor for Lorman Education Services, National Business Institute and the Construction Specifications Institute certification program. Mr. Heffernan has completed the MICPEL 40 Hour Mediation Training Course. He has been selected as a Court-Appointed Mediator for the Circuit Courts for Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and Montgomery County.