Our Team

Biography

Originally from Humboldt, Tennessee, Heather Anderson has built a distinguished career in law, demonstrating both professional expertise and deep community involvement. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Heather earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1995, where she was an active member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She then went on to earn her law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law in 1998, where she was a member of the Tennessee Journal of Practice & Procedure and received the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Trial Advocacy and Excellence. After practicing in Memphis, Tennessee with a defense employment boutique firm, she returned to East Tennessee.

Heather joined Bernstein, Stair & McAdams in 2017 as Of Counsel and became a partner in January 2018. With more than 25 years of experience in the legal field, she practices in a diverse array of areas including real estate, construction law, employment law, and general civil litigation. She is also a Listed Rule 31 Family Law and General Civil Mediator, further demonstrating her versatility and skill in resolving disputes.

Throughout her career, Heather has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 40 Under 40 honorees by both the Knoxville Business Journal (2013) and the Memphis Business Journal (2003), a rare distinction for a legal professional.

Heather is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, Knoxville Bar Association, and the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association of Women. In 2007, she was selected for the prestigious Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Class, which highlights emerging leaders in the legal field. In 2013, the Knoxville Bar Foundation inducted her as a Fellow and she is also a Fellow in the Tennessee Bar Foundation. In 2022, she received the Spirit of Justice Award from the East Tennessee Lawyers’ Association of Women for her support for the advancement of women lawyers. 

Beyond her legal practice, Heather is deeply committed to her community. She is truly a volunteer at heart and currently serves as the first female Chair of the Board of Directors for the Public Building Authority of Knox County and Knoxville. Heather also serves on the Board of the Girl Scouts Council of the Southern Appalachians. She has previously served on the Sertoma Center’s Foundation Board for several years, including as President, where she worked to support adults with intellectual disabilities. Additionally, Heather has served on the Board of the YWCA Knoxville, further demonstrating her commitment to advancing social causes.

Education

B.A., University of Tennessee, magna cum laude

J.D., University of Memphis, Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law

Courts

United States District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Tennessee,

United States District Court, Eastern District Court of Tennessee

U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit

Tennessee State Courts

Awards & Honors

AV Preeminent Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence by Martindale-Hubbell

Peer-review recognition by Cityview Magazine as Top Attorney in Employment Law for multiple years

Listed as a Rule 31 Family Law and General Civil Mediator

Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year in Employment (2020)

Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2017-2024)

Tennessee Bar Foundation, Fellow (2018)

Knoxville Bar Foundation, Fellow (2013)

Knoxville Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, Honoree (2013)

Memphis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40, Honoree (2003)

Recipient of Dean’s Award for Trial Excellence

Recognized by Super Lawyers