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HEATHER M. MORLANG
Of Counsel

Heather Morlang became Of Counsel to WattBeckworth in 2008, having previously been a Member at Kacal, Adams & Law, P.C. in Houston.  Ms. Morlang's focus is the defense of health care providers, health care institutions, and blood banks in tort lawsuits.  She also advises health care clients on regulations that affect their practice.  Ms. Morlang works with colleagues at WattBeckworth on complex business litigation cases as well.  Her matters have spanned both trial and appellate court levels in addition to regulatory boards. She holds bar admissions to practice with the:

  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
  • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
  • Texas State Courts

Ms. Morlang is not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

  • 2002 - LL.M. (Health Law), University of Houston Law Center
  • 2001 - J.D., University of Houston Law Center
  • 1998 - B.A. (Political Science Major), Trinity University

Ms. Morlang's law school curriculum included externships with the Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas and with the Risk Management Office of Baylor College of Medicine.

PROFESSIONAL HONORS

  • Houston Bar Association's Health Law Section Council: Chair (2011-2012); Chair-Elect (2010-2011); Treasurer (2009-2010); Secretary (2008-2009); Member at Large (2006-2008)
  • John B. Neibel Award for Health Law Studies (2001) 
  • Editor in Chief, Houston Journal of Health Law & Policy (2000-2001) 

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Represented defendants in tort litigation involving claims of health care liability (malpractice), negligence, gross negligence, malicious medical staff credentialing, wrongful death actions, and survival actions:
    • Defendants included: disproportionate-share hospital, for-profit hospitals, ambulatory surgical center, not-for-profit assisted living facility, not-for-profit blood bank, professional associations, physicians (of numerous specialty areas), and nurses.
    • Venue included: Brazoria, Dallas, Galveston, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, and Liberty Counties.
  • Represented appellants in the First Court of Appeals of Texas and Ninth Court of Appeals of Texas for review of trial courts' orders overruling health care providers' objections to expert reports under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 74.
  • Assisted physicians and hospitals with responses to investigations by the Texas Medical Board, Texas Board of Nursing, and a health insurance company's quality assurance program.
  • Represented plaintiffs in business litigation matters involving breach of contract, breach of warranty, and negligence claims.

SPEECHES & ARTICLES

  • “Mock Deposition” - Speech presented to Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on June 26, 2008 in Houston.
  • “The Courts” - Speech presented in Houston to the Houston Association of Legal Professionals on September 6, 2008, August 25, 2007, September 16, 2006, September 10, 2005, and September 25, 2004.
  • “Essentials of Accurate Charting” - Speech presented to Texas Orthopedic Hospital on September 30, 2004 in Houston.
  • Heather M. Morlang, “Texas Tort Reform: New Rules for Qualifying as Experts and Meeting with Attorneys” in Houston Medical Journal, vol. 2. no. 3, May 2004 at cover story.
  • “House Bill 4” - Speech presented to Dunn, Kacal, Adams, Pappas & Law, P.C. on April 6, 2004 in Houston.
  • “Tort Reform in America” - Speech presented to the Consulate General of France on April 28, 2003 in Houston.
  • “Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996” - Speech presented to the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants on April 16, 2003 in Houston.
  • Heather M. Morlang, “Talking to Your Patients by E-Mail? What Every Physician Should Know About Electronic Relationships” in Health Law Perspectives (April 30, 2002).
  • Heather M. Morlang, “Viatical Industry Slips from Privacy Regulation Cover” in Health Law Perspectives (October 22, 2001).

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Bar Association
  • American College of Legal Medicine
  • Greater Houston Society for Healthcare Risk Management
  • Houston Bar Association
  • Texas Bar Foundation

Heather M. Morlang
hmorlang@wattbeckworth.com
D: +1 713.333.9142

1800 Pennzoil Place
South Tower
711 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002
T: +1 713.650.8100
F: +1 713.650.8141

Practice Areas
Business Litigation
Health Law
Medical Malpractice
Tort Litigation