Joseph A. Heath Partner Ford, Walker, Haggerty & Behar, LLP Direct: (562) 983-2514 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Download vCard

Joseph Heath is a Partner with the firm whose practice emphasizes defense of claims against public entities, construction claims, professional liability and general casualty cases. His current areas of specialization include representation of municipalities, county agencies, ports and public transportation providers. His area of specialization is risk and cost evaluation for public and private clients as well as trial of the litigated cases; requiring close interaction with senior management in both the private and public sectors.

As lead trial counsel, Mr. Heath has managed and litigated to successful conclusion matters involving False Claims Act violations, whistle blower claims, law enforcement claims under U.S.C.1983, large commercial contractual/lease disputes, medical malpractice cases, wrongful termination and general casualty litigation. He has extensive experience in the arbitration and mediation process and has served as an arbitrator, mediator and Judge Pro Tem for the Los Angeles Superior Court. Mr. Heath also serves as a Hearing Officer for the Long Beach Civil Service Commission.

He has been associated with Ford, Walker, Haggerty & Behar since its inception in 1991, having begun his legal career with the predecessor firm of Shield & Smith.

Mr. Heath was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1986. He is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Appeal and the United States District Court, Central District. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel, the Defense Research Institute and the Southern California Fraud Investigators Association. He is also an Honorary Member of the Long Beach Police Officer’s Association.

Mr. Heath was elected three times by downtown Long Beach business and property owners to serve on the Board of Directors of the Downtown Long Beach Associates. In this capacity, Mr. Heath oversaw property and business-based improvement districts that are dedicated to providing a clean and safe business environment and promoting economic development.

He received his J.D. in 1986 from Southwestern University School of Law, where he served as Senior Editor on the Law Review and as an elected representative of the Executive Committee of the Student Bar Association. He obtained his B.A. in political science in 1983 from the University of California at Los Angeles. As an undergraduate, he was the 1981 Harry S. Truman Scholar for the State of California, a competitive scholarship awarded to students with interests in public service.

Mr. Heath is a native of Southern California and resides in Long Beach with his wife Tricia, their daughters Elizabeth and Virginia and son Joseph, Jr. Mr. Heath is a member of the St. Anthony’s Parish Community and serves as personal counsel to the Pastor and member of the St. Anthony Elementary School Governance Board.