Schuster, Charles A.

Mr. Heister’s practice focuses on complex civil litigation and appeals.  As part of his practice, Mr. Heister also counsels clients on both civil and criminal regulatory environmental compliance, permitting issues, and administrative proceedings.  

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Heister practiced law in Washington, DC, for nine years, first as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice Environmental Defense Section and later with a large, international law firm.  Mr. Heister’s work at the Department of Justice involved the defense of federal agencies in matters brought before the federal District Courts and Courts of Appeals involving environmental statutes such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, and CERCLA.  While at the Department of Justice, Mr. Heister was awarded the EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service, the highest award bestowed by the Environmental Protection Agency.  Mr. Heister’s experience in private practice includes trial and appellate work in civil environmental enforcement actions, private cost-recovery actions, bankruptcy cases, and criminal investigations.  He was also appointed legal counsel to the Architect of the Capitol’s blue ribbon panel on safety in the Russell Senate Building.  He has been a member of a practice group recognized by U.S News Media Group Best Law Firms and Law360 as among the best in the nation.       

A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mr. Heister is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and received his J. D. from the University of Arkansas.  Following graduation from law school, Mr. Heister served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Arnold of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.  He also taught civil rights litigation as an adjunct professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

Mr. Heister is licensed to practice law in Arkansas and the District of Columbia.  He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and D.C. Circuits as well as the Western and Eastern Districts of Arkansas and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.