Brian S. Heslin

Brian Heslin’s varied and considerable experiences in civil, criminal and administrative courtrooms have evolved into a practice dedicated to representing clients involved with governmental regulatory and enforcement agencies. 

A significant portion of Mr. Heslin’s practice focuses on the representation of companies and public utilities in the natural gas and other regulated energy industries.  Over the years, he has developed a thorough understanding of the nuances and intricacies of these regulatory environments, including subjects involving rate-making and design, contracting, secondary capacity markets, asset management, transportation, transmission and regulatory compliance.  His representation includes regular appearances before state public service commissions and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 

In addition, Mr. Heslin devotes his time to defending clients and corporations under investigation and indictment by state and federal authorities, conducting internal and external investigations, and representing clients in civil matters including allegations of fraud, embezzlement and other civil causes of action. 

The two segments of Mr. Heslin’s practice often intersect.  For example, he represents energy companies involved in formal and informal investigations by regulatory agencies.  In addition to representing energy clients in regulatory dockets and proceedings, he serves those same clients as litigation counsel, employing his comprehensive knowledge of those companies to pursue successful dispositions and outcomes in state and federal courts.  The knowledge, temperament and skills developed in each arena equip him with a well-rounded and assured ability to obtain excellent results for his individual and corporate clients.

Prior to joining Moore & Van Allen, Mr. Heslin was a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice, defending departmental and regulatory federal agencies in various civil matters.  In addition, he served as a prosecutor and defense attorney in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Recent Trials  

Mr. Heslin recently tried a fully contested jury trial in the federal district court of the District of Columbia.  Mr. Heslin and his trial team defended an individual charged with conspiracy to commit major fraud upon the U.S., as well as charges of wire fraud and major fraud.  Mr. Heslin's client, a 22-year veteran of U.S. Army Special Forces, served as an operations manager of a private security company that provided security services to civilian engineers in Afghanistan under USAID's infrastructure rebuilding efforts from 2003 and 2007.  The case was prosecuted by the Procurement Fraud Section of the United States Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia with support of the FBI and USAID Office of Inspector General.  After two days of deliberation, the jury remained locked at 10-2 in favor of not guilty and the judge declared a mistrial. Shortly thereafter, the prosecutors voluntarily dismissed all charges with prejudice.

Of Note

• Recognized in the 2009 and 2010 edition of Benchmark Litigation as a “Future Star"
• Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America 
• Former trial attorney, United States Department of Justice
• Defended  federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Interior and Department of Defense
• Prosecuted over 30 felony trials
• Worked with representatives of the United Nations and foreign governments to establish a western judicial system in Kosovo
• Instructor, “Document Retention and Destruction in the Age of Electronic Documents:  How Document Retention Impacts Litigation and Business in the Computer Age”
• Instructor on various topics, including: law of war, international treaties, rules of engagement, electronic document discovery, FERC compliance and enforcement actions

News

• Brian Heslin Quoted in Inside Counsel
• Brian Heslin Authors Energy Law360 Article
• Litigation Team Featured Twice in NC Lawyers Weekly
• Brian Heslin Quoted in SC Lawyers Weekly
• Valecia McDowell & Brian Heslin Inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America
• Benchmark Litigation Recognizes Firm’s NC Litigation Practice with Highest Designation

View All »

Professional Affiliations

• Energy Bar Association
• Litigation Counsel of America
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Virginia State Bar Association
• American Bar Association