Richard M. Heimann

Bet-the-Company Litigation

5.0 (1 reviews)

San Francisco, California

53+ years experience

Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein LLP

Updated: Jan 04, 2026

Contact Information

415-956-1000

https://www.lieffcabraser.com/attorneys/richard-m-heimann/

275 Battery Street, 29th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111

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Bio

Richard M. Heimann is one of the nation’s foremost trial attorneys and skilled negotiators, with unparalleled experience in complex securities and investor fraud, antitrust and intellectual property, consumer protection, and personal injury and mass tort cases. Richard led Lieff Cabraser’s work in the Wells Fargo Shareholder Derivative Litigation and was appointed Co-Lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel in the case. In April 2020, the Court granted final approval to a settlement including a $240 million cash payment, the largest insurer-funded derivative settlement in history, and corporate governance reforms.Richard also supervised Lieff Cabraser’s landmark litigation against the tobacco industry on behalf of Massachusetts, California, and several other states. The litigation was resolved in 1998 as part of a record $206 billion master settlement agreement with the state Attorneys General. Richard has also successfully tried over 30 civil jury cases, highlighted by the FPI/Agretech and Edsaco securities class action trials, the Wells Fargo Bank overdraft fees consumer protection class action trial, and the LCDs antitrust class action. In April 2020, the Court granted final approval to a settlement including a $240 million cash payment, the largest insurer-funded derivative settlement in history, and corporate governance reforms. Richard also supervised Lieff Cabraser’s landmark litigation against the tobacco industry on behalf of Massachusetts, California, and several other states. The litigation was resolved in 1998 as part of a record $206 billion master settlement agreement with the state Attorneys General. Richard has also successfully tried over 30 civil jury cases, highlighted by the FPI/Agretech and Edsaco securities class action trials, the Wells Fargo Bank overdraft fees consumer protection class action trial, and the LCDs antitrust class action.

Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Awards & Recognition

Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Securities, San Francisco (2018)
Lawyer of the Year: Litigation - Securities, San Francisco (2016)
Recognized: Bet-the-Company Litigation
Recognized: Consumer Protection Law
Recognized: Litigation - Antitrust
Recognized: Litigation - Securities
Recognized: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
Practice Area: Antitrust Law
Practice Area: Banking and Finance Law
Practice Area: Commercial Litigation
Practice Area: Mass Tort Litigation
Practice Area: Securities / Capital Markets Law
Special Focus: Securities
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Selected for inclusion by peers in The Best Lawyers in America in fields of “Bet the Company Litigation,” “Consumer Protection Law,” “Litigation – Antitrust,” “Litigation – Securities,” and “Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Plaintiffs”, 2007-2026
“Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America,” Lawdragon, 2026
“Lawdragon 500 Hall of Fame,” Lawdragon, 2020-2025
“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2019-2025
“Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2019, 2022-2025
“Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America,” Lawdragon, 2019
“Lawdragon Finalist,” Lawdragon, 2009-2011
“Super Lawyer for Northern California,” Super Lawyers, 2004-2025
California Legal Awards Lifetime Achievement Award,” Law.com & The Recorder, 2025
“Leading Commercial Litigators,” Daily Journal, 2024, 2025
“Top 100 Attorneys in California,” Daily Journal, 2010-2011, 2018, 2022, 2024
“Leading Commercial Litigators,” Daily Journal, 2024
“Top Plaintiff Lawyers,” California Daily Journal, 2021, 2022
“Product Liability MVP of the Year,” Law360, 2022
“Litigation Trailblazer,” The National Law Journal, 2018, 2020, 2022
“Top 100 Trial Lawyers in America,” Benchmark Litigation, 2017, 2018
“Lawyer of the Year,” Best Lawyers, recognized in the category of Litigation – Securities for San Francisco, 2016-2017
“Outstanding Private Practice Antitrust Achievement,” American Antitrust Institute, 2017
“California Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation, 2013-2016
California Lawyer of the Year (CLAY) Award, California Lawyer, 2011 & 2013
Legal 500 recommended lawyer, LeagalEase, 2013
“Top 100 Northern California Super Lawyers,” Super Lawyers, 2013
“Top Attorneys In Securities Law,” Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, 2010, 2012
“Consumer Attorney of the Year Finalist,” Consumer Attorneys of California, 2011

Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007

Education

Georgetown University, J.D., graduated 1972
University of Florida, B.S.B.A., graduated 1969

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Reviews

Rebecca Kelly

2 months ago

A Master Strategist in Complex Securities Litigation

When our company faced a high-stakes shareholder class action alleging securities fraud, the potential consequences were existential. We needed counsel with not just deep legal knowledge, but the strategic acumen and courtroom presence to navigate a bet-the-company scenario. In Richard Heimann, we found exactly that. His 53 years of experience were immediately apparent. He didn't just review our case; he deconstructed the plaintiff's arguments with a precision born from decades of trying complex securities matters. Mr. Heimann and his team at Lieff Cabraser conducted a forensic-level investigation, building a defense that was both legally impregnable and narratively compelling. His reputation as a skilled negotiator proved invaluable, allowing us to engage from a position of strength. While fully prepared for trial, his guidance led to a resolution that protected the company's future without the unpredictability of a jury. The recognition he has received, including being named Lawyer of the Year in Securities Litigation, is clearly well-deserved. Beyond his formidable expertise, his professionalism and direct, clear communication provided immense reassurance during an incredibly stressful period. He is the definitive example of a seasoned trial attorney.