About Heather R.
Heather R. Steele built a pathway to law that began outside courtrooms. She studied broadcast journalism before turning to legal study, and she earned her Juris Doctor from George Mason University School of Law in 2007. That academic shift set the tone for a career centered on courtroom work and community involvement.
After law school Ms. Steele began her legal career as a law clerk at Magruder & Associates in 2005. She moved into private practice in 2007 as an associate at Magruder, Cook, Carmody & Koutsouftikis, P.C., where she handled the day-to-day demands of civil litigation and client representation. In 2009 she joined Compton & Duling, L.C. as a litigation partner, taking on more complex cases and greater responsibility in courtroom strategy and firm management. In 2019 she became a partner at Pesner Altmiller Melnick & DeMers, where she continues her work.
Her career shows a steady climb through roles that required both litigation skills and firm leadership. Early years in clerkships and associate work gave her experience in drafting pleadings and preparing for trial. As a partner she has overseen case teams, managed client relationships, and participated in firm decision-making. Colleagues describe her as methodical in preparing cases and direct in court. She tends to blend practical courtroom tactics with careful procedural work.
Beyond the office, Ms. Steele has been active in local civic and professional groups. She is a board member of SPARK, the Prince William Education Foundation, and serves as treasurer for Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William, roles she has held since 2013. She completed Leadership Prince William in 2012 and maintains memberships in the District of Columbia Bar, the Maryland State Bar, the Prince William County Bar Association, the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Those connections reflect an interest in local institutions and professional networks.
Ms. Steele’s background in broadcast journalism surfaces in the clear, concise way she frames arguments and communicates with clients. Her legal track record centers on litigation roles across several firms and on leadership positions within those firms. She balances courtroom work with community board service and bar association participation.
She practices in Virginia and continues to handle trial and pretrial litigation matters. Her current practice focuses on litigation.
