Heather Ryfa serves as Motions Counsel for Barrett & Farahany. She applies her extensive experience in litigation and legal writing in responding to Motions to Dismiss and Motions for Summary Judgment in order to protect employees’ rights in matters such as discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and overtime pay.
Prior to joining Barrett & Farahany, Heather spent five years teaching legal research and writing at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. She had a varied career in civil litigation for fourteen years before she joined academia. She served as an Assistant Attorney General representing the people of Georgia for eight years. Heather was successful litigating many cases including a $5 million tax refund matter that was won on summary judgment; a $1 million case against the Georgia Lottery Corporation that was won on a motion to dismiss, and an $11 million settlement in another tax matter. Heather started her career as a staff attorney for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the experience and insights she gained there are particularly beneficial to her current motions practice.
Heather graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. She was on the Journal of Law and International Policy and also worked as a law clerk for the AARP in its health litigation unit. Heather received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia, graduating cum laude. She was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and the Equestrian Team.
When she is not practicing law, Heather is very active in the equestrian sports community, participating and volunteering at local events. She has served on the board of the Georgia Dressage and Combined Training Association and was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2020. She also enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling with her husband, Garett, and their two children, Brennan and Nolan.
