Heather Lyster
Senior Associate
Heather Lyster advises nonprofit clients on the complex and wide range of laws applicable to tax-exempt organizations engaged in public interest, policy advocacy, and political activities.
Heather Lyster joins Harmon Curran with 12 years of experience as a lawyer. Prior to joining the firm, Heather served over seven years at Greenpeace USA, where she most recently served as Associate General Counsel, Programs. She advised senior management and staff on legal issues and strategy affecting the 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(3) organizations, including IRS regulations, lobbying, campaign finance, intellectual property, contracts, employment, corporate governance, and telecommunications law. She worked with staff on Greenpeace USA’s campaigns to ensure legal compliance across a variety of legal issues.
Before working at Greenpeace USA, Heather was an Assistant Public Defender with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender in Prince George’s County, where she represented indigent clients through pre-trial and trial stages of misdemeanor and felony cases. Heather earned her law degree at the University of Illinois Chicago Law in 2011. She also has a Master’s degree in European Studies from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs and German Language & Literature from George Washington University. Outside of work, Heather enjoys running, gardening, and playing with her two young children.