Gunster, one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service business law firms, today announced that Heather Costanzo has returned to the firm, joining the Business Litigation practice. Costanzo brings extensive experience representing public and private companies, government entities and high-profile clients, further strengthening Gunster's litigation capabilities.
Costanzo previously spent nearly a decade at Gunster before serving seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Washington and the District of New Jersey. She now returns to the firm, bringing expanded experience in high-stakes federal litigation to its Business Litigation practice.
Costanzo represents clients in complex commercial disputes, including business-related matters, employment cases, professional liability claims, class actions, and mass and toxic torts. She also advises clients on risk management and litigation avoidance strategies. Experienced at every stage of litigation, Costanzo is known for combining strategic thinking with meticulous preparation to advance her clients’ immediate and long-term goals.
“Heather's experience and results driven approach make her an invaluable addition to our litigation team,” said Bill Perry, CEO and managing shareholder of Gunster. “As we celebrate our centennial year, her arrival reflects Gunster’s continued investment in top tier talent and strengthens our ability to deliver sophisticated solutions that help clients navigate today’s most complex disputes.”
Costanzo’s notable achievements include representing Pratt & Whitney in environmental toxic tort cases exceeding $1 billion in alleged damages, successfully defending a Big Four accounting firm in a $500 million arbitration and securing a defense verdict in a federal trademark and unfair competition trial that was later affirmed on appeal.
She earned her J.D. with high honors from George Washington University Law School, as well as an M.A. from George Washington University’s Elliott School for International Affairs and a B.A. in International Relations, cum laude, from Tufts University. She is active in the Sarasota County Bar Association and previously served as a board member and newsletter chair for the Federal Bar Association’s International Law Section, earning its ‘Outstanding Newsletter’ award in 2016. Outside the office, she also volunteers with the Humane Society of Sarasota County.
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About Gunster
Gunster, Florida’s law firm for business, provides full-service legal counsel to leading organizations and individuals from its 13 offices statewide. Established in 1925, the firm has expanded, diversified and evolved, but always with a singular focus: Florida and its clients’ stake in it. A magnet for business-savvy attorneys who embrace collaboration for the greatest advantage of clients, Gunster’s growth has not been at the expense of personalized service but because of it. The firm serves clients from its offices in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Palm Beach, Stuart, Tallahassee, Tampa, Vero Beach, and its headquarters in West Palm Beach. With more than 330 attorneys and consultants, and 300 committed support staff, Gunster is ranked among the top 200 largest law firms by the National Law Journal and has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Diverse Law Firms by Law360. More information about its practices, industries, offices and news is available at www.gunster.com.
