Her Story
About Heather
Heather Austin Jones is an accomplished attorney with more than two decades of legal experience in employment law, Equal Employment Opportunity matters, and civil litigation. She began her legal career after earning her law degree from George Mason School of Law, now the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, following an undergraduate degree in broadcast journalism. Admitted to the bar in 2002, Jones completed a two-year judicial clerkship with Judge Terrance Ney of the Fairfax County Circuit Court, an experience that provided invaluable insight into courtroom proceedings and helped shape her approach to the practice of law. She subsequently spent more than a decade in private practice, focusing on employment litigation and advancing to partner.
In 2015, Jones transitioned to federal service with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, where she served as a Supervisory Attorney Advisor handling Equal Employment Opportunity matters until her retirement in 2025. She is a certified EEO investigator and recognized subject matter expert in employment law, and has provided training for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and federally employed women’s summits. Today, Jones serves as an Attorney with Howell & Rowlett, PLLC, where she focuses on general civil litigation, while also continuing to conduct EEO investigations as a contractor. Her practice is guided by integrity, honesty, transparency, communication, and civility, with a commitment to providing clients with candid guidance and helping them pursue meaningful resolutions.
Outside of her legal career, Jones treasures time with her family and friends and places a strong emphasis on building lasting relationships. She married in June 2026 and enjoys spending time with her two daughters, her husband’s two sons, and their six-year-old granddaughter. The beach is a particularly meaningful place for Jones and her family, as it is where she was married and where she finds a sense of relaxation and renewal. She also enjoys decorating her home and snow skiing in Virginia. Whether advocating for a client or spending time with loved ones, Jones is passionate about making a positive difference and helping others find answers and resolution when facing difficult circumstances.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Heather
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, and the guidance of exceptional mentors throughout my career. One of the most formative experiences was my judicial clerkship, where I had the opportunity to work behind the scenes in the courtroom alongside a judge who became an important mentor. That experience gave me invaluable insight into the legal process, strengthened my professional judgment, and provided a foundation of practical experience that has continued to shape my career.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to pursue my profession with passion and to do the work because I genuinely enjoy it. I believe it is important to never lose sight of why you chose the profession in the first place and to recognize the great honor and responsibility that comes with having someone trust you to represent their interests. I also try to approach every matter with the mindset that it is the first time I am doing it, bringing the same level of focus, preparation, curiosity, and dedication to each client and each case.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the legal profession is to recognize that it can be an incredibly rewarding career, but it requires a willingness to put in the time, effort, and dedication necessary to succeed. Approach every situation with poise, professionalism, and calmness, particularly when navigating challenging circumstances. If you are passionate about doing what is right for your clients, advocating for their interests, and working diligently to pursue the best available remedy, then you are in a profession where you can make a meaningful difference.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the legal profession is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It is a demanding field that requires significant time, focus, and dedication, and finding the right balance between professional responsibilities and personal priorities can be challenging. At the same time, learning to manage those demands effectively creates an opportunity to build a sustainable and fulfilling career while remaining committed to providing clients with the highest level of service.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, honesty, transparency, communication, and maintaining a strong reputation. I believe it is essential to be candid with clients, even when the truth may not be what they want to hear, because trust is built through honest and transparent communication. I also believe in underpromising and overdelivering and understand that a reputation can take years to build but only seconds to damage. Maintaining professionalism, respect, and civility in the practice of law is equally important to me, because how we treat others is a reflection of our character and our commitment to the profession.
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