Carson Heideman is a summer law clerk at Barran Liebman who is entering his third year at the University of Washington School of Law.

As a law clerk, Carson supports attorneys with case preparation, legal research, case file management, developing materials for client trainings, and preparing legal guidance for clients. Carson is the Chief Articles Editor of the Washington International Law Journal, where he reviews the submissions of scholars and students. He has competed in the University of Washington’s negotiation and appellate advocacy competitions. As a student attorney at the University of Washington Federal Tax Clinic, Carson assists low-income individuals with tax controversies and recently volunteered in rural Alaska as a tax preparer.

Prior to law school, Carson pursued his undergraduate studies at American University, graduating with a B.A. in International Politics. During his undergraduate years, Carson interned at several agencies including the Social Security Administration, DOJ Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Embassy Baku, and the Executive Office of the President.

In his free time, Carson enjoys travelling, cooking, and road cycling. He enjoys learning languages and speaks Japanese.

Representative Matters

• Prepared severance agreements in compliance with state and federal law

• Assisted in the defense of a homeowners association

• Researched issues surrounding long-term disability leave

• Reviewed a medical facility’s policies on document destruction and retention

• Drafted a motion to dismiss in an Oregon circuit court

• Analyzed recent changes to Oregon’s Uniform Trial Court Rules

• Reviewed clients’ internal policies for processing Form I-9

• Analyzed standard for retaliation claims in Oregon

• Drafted guidance on the ministerial exception in Washington

• Analyzed compliance issues with employees living in government quarters

• Assisted employer with updating cannabis testing policy

• Drafted document retention policies for small businesses

• Analyzed co-plaintiff standing issues in Washington courts

• Advised client on conflicts between federal and Oregon childcare regulations

• Interpreted construction industry collective bargaining agreements

• Advised on the drafting of a severance agreement

• Guided nonprofit on compliance with federal regulations

• Assisted in the drafting of a mediation statement for a putative wage-and-hour class action

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• Multnomah Bar Association: Law Student Member (2026 – present)

• Extern, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Washington (May 2025 – July 2025)

• Legal Assistant, U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Hawaii (September 2023 – August 2024)

• Legal Assistant, IRS, Office of Chief Counsel (July 2023 – September 2023)

• English Instructor, GABA (September 2022 – May 2023)

• English Instructor, NOVA (July 2021 – August 2022)

Honors

• Japanese Government Scholarship: Language Study in Tokyo at Keio University (2019 – 2020)

• State Department Scholarship: Language Study in Tajikistan (2016)

Representative Publications

• Carson Heideman, Executive Courts: The Power of Congress to Regulate Courts of Occupation, 36 Wash. Int’l L.J. ___ (forthcoming 2027).

• “Updating Employee Work Authorization Documentation is Now a Protected Activity in Oregon,” Cascade Business News, July 23, 2026

• “When A Debtor Dies In Chapters 7 And 13: Best Practices,” U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington, The Bankruptcy Best Practices Series, 2025

• “New Restrictions on Inquiring About Age During the Hiring Process,” Oregon Business Report, September 22, 2025

• “Takeaways from Cooper v. Rust,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, September 19, 2025

• “Update on Washington Equal Pay and Opportunity Act — Job Postings,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, September 18, 2025

• “Oregon Legislature Places New Restrictions on Inquiring About Age During the Hiring Process,” Barran Liebman Electronic Alert, September 12, 2025