BIOGRAPHY – Heather Maure
Heather Maure grew up in Dallas, Texas. While growing up in Texas, she saw how different groups of people were treated different based upon their race and immigration status. Heather also spent time in southern Mississippi where her Dad did business. Many happy summers were also spent with her father’s family in northwestern Iowa. It was from these collective experiences that she developed an abiding faith and deep commitment to public service.
At the College of William and Mary, she majored in American History, concentrating on colonial New England, graduating in the top 10 percent of her class. After college, she returned to school and completed her law degree at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Realizing quickly that her calling was to represent the poor and often targeted, she took additional classes in advanced criminal procedure and trial techniques. She also participated in the El Reno Federal Prison Project and worked part time for the Appellate Public Defenders.
After graduation, she returned to Texas. Finding it difficult for a young woman to secure a position as a criminal defense attorney, she accepted a position with a small commercial law firm. Feeling frustrated after several years, she attended graduate school at the University of Notre Dame with the intention of moving in a different career direction. However, it was at the University of Notre Dame, that her commitment to public service was rekindled. . She returned to the practice of law with a new vigor and zeal, working first as attorney for the Elkhart County Department of Children and Family Services and then as a juvenile court prosecutor.
After her husband completed graduate school, they moved to Rochester, New York. She continued her efforts on behalf of children and assisted immigrants working for the Legal Aid Society of Rochester. When an opening arose at the Monroe County Public Defender’s Office, she applied and eagerly returned to her original goal: representing criminal defendants. Six years later, her husband accepted a position in the North Country. She then moved to Plattsburgh in July of 2009 and became associated with the Law Office of Mark Schneider. She brings all of these diverse experiences to her practice in Plattsburgh and continues to zealously advocate on behalf of her clients. Call or email Heather today.