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Jane Henican
Heidingsfelder

Position
Partner
Office
New Orleans

Jane Heidingsfelder is a partner in the Labor & Employment Practice Group. In addition to her traditional employment practice, she has extensive experience representing clients in a wide array of industries before the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA), and the Chemical Safety Board (CSB). Jane is also experienced in leading confidential, internal investigations relating to alleged workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and #metoo allegations on behalf of companies, organizations, and boards.


Jane advises companies in the course of on-site safety and health investigations, as well as in subsequent litigation with the US Department of Labor (DOL). She has handled cases in a number of jurisdictions and defended clients throughout the United States in state and federal courts, as well as before state and federal administrative agencies. A consummate professional, Jane has developed effective working relationships with federal, state, and local regulators and leaders across a number of government departments.

Jane helps clients develop, implement, and update safety and health policies and procedures, including contingency plans for responding to employee complaints, and regularly conducts safety and health audits that include a review of required OSHA and MSHA written programs for completeness. She defends employers that have been issued citations and penalties by OSHA and MSHA and handles cases against these agencies at all levels, including the OSHA and MSHA Review Commission and federal appellate courts. She has also successfully negotiated settlement agreements with OSHA and MSHA at the pre-citation stage and after citations have been issued.

In addition to her OSHA and MSHA practice, Jane focuses on labor relations, business and commercial litigation, and employment-related litigation, including litigation under Title VII, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and their state law counterparts. Jane is often called upon by companies, boards of directors, and organizations to conduct confidential internal investigations of workplace misconduct, sexual harassment, and #metoo allegations. On behalf of insurance agents and stockbrokers, Jane has handled numerous matters involving commercial contracts, covenants not-to-compete, and errors and omissions for insurance agents. She also represents directors and officers in jury and judge trials throughout the Southeast, as well as in proceedings before administrative agencies.

Active in professional and civic associations, Jane serves on the boards of the ASAP Foundation and Lighthouse Louisiana.

Noteworthy

  • Chambers USA, Labor & Employment (listed annually since 2019); Occupational Safety and Health (2023, 2024)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Employment Law – Management, Labor Law – Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment (listed annually since 2021)
  • New Orleans CityBusiness, Women of the Year (2020)

Publications

  • Jones Walker on Labor & Employment Legal Trends, October 2025
  • "Ready, Set, Recover: Building a Crisis-Ready Workplace," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert – National Preparedness Month Series, September 23, 2025
  • "2025 Labor & Employment and Employee Benefits Hot Topics," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, May 19, 2025
  • "OSHA Walkaround Rule Raises Unionization and Constitutional Concerns for Employers," ABA Forum on Construction Law, September 24, 2024
  • "Successful Implementations of Safety Protocols and Procedures: Employer Obligations & Compliance," Facility Safety Management, June 11, 2024
  • "A Joint Effort to Keep Workers Safe," EHS Today, May 21, 2024
  • "OSHA is not Backing Down," Construction Business Owner, January 10, 2024
  • "OSHA and NLRB Set Forth MOU to Strengthen Protections for the Health and Safety of Workers: A 2024 Outlook," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, January 4, 2024
  • "Employment Law Update: A Year in Review," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, December 19, 2023
  • "Workplace Violence is on the Rise, and So Are Regulations," IndustryWeek, November 27, 2023
  • "Louisiana Trends and Developments," Chambers Global Practice Guide, US Regional Employment, September 28, 2023
  • "OSHA Is Not Backing Down — Employers Must Address Risks of Extreme Heat," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, August 3, 2023
  • "Employer Obligations to Address the Rise in Workplace Violence," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, May 23, 2023
  • "Louisiana: Trends and Developments," Chambers Global Practice Guide, US Regional Employment, 2022
  • "Heating Things Up: OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards," Construction Executive, July 20, 2022
  • "Heating Things Up: OSHA Launches National Standard on Outdoor and Indoor Heat Hazards," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Alert, May 25, 2022
  • "Life After OSHA Withdraws Vaccine Mandate," Occupational Health & Safety, February 3, 2022
  • "OSHA ETS 'Vaccine or Test' Mandate for Private Employers (100 or more employees) Is Back in Play," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, December 21, 2021
  • "What Employers Should do First in Response to OSHA's Vaccine Rules," Southeast Employment Law Letter, Vol. 2, No. 12, December 2021
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Recap — November 14, 2021," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Alert, November 14, 2021
  • "The Suspense is Over — OSHA Finally Releases its COVID Vaccination/Testing Rule — What it Means for You?" Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, November 4, 2021
  • "Updated OSHA Guidance on COVID-19," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, August 18, 2021
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Recap — August 15, 2021," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, August 15, 2021
  • "EEOC Allows Covid-19 Vaccination Incentives: What to Know," Bloomberg Law Daily Labor Report, July 23, 2021
  • "Tips for Continued Compliance with OSHA's COVID-19 Guidelines," Louisiana Associated General Contractors' Summer Magazine, Summer 2021
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Recap — June 13, 2021," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, June 13, 2021
  • "OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare and Updates Guidance for All Industries," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, June 11, 2021
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Recap — May 16, 2021," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, May 16, 2021
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Recap — September 27, 2020," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, September 27, 2020
  • "OSHA Guidance Related to COVID-19 for Healthcare Providers," Jones Walker LLP Healthcare Client Alert, September 24, 2020
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Weekly Recap — September 13, 2020," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, September 13, 2020
  • "Keep Employees Safe from the Impacts of COVID-19," Construction Executive, August 31, 2020
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Weekly Recap — July 19, 2020," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, July 19, 2020
  • "OSHA Issues COVID Related Guidance for the Oil & Gas Industry," Employment Law Information Network, July 13, 2020
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Weekly Recap — May 24, 2020," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, May 24, 2020
  • "OSHA Issues Revised Enforcement Guidance for Recording Cases and Inspections of COVID-19," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, May 20, 2020
  • "Beyond the Blog — COVID-19 Weekly Recap — May 10, 2020," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Prep & Recovery Client Alert, May 10, 2020
  • "OSHA Issues New COVID-19 Alert to Restaurants & Beverage Vendors," Employment Law Information Network Daily Newsletter, May 1, 2020
  • "OSHA Guidance Related to COVID-19 for Contractors," The Construction Executive, April 28, 2020
  • "Are You to Blame? Understanding OSHA’s Multi-Employer Citation Policy," Louisiana Associated General Contractors, News to Build On Newsletter, January 2020
  • "How to Take Advantage of OSHA's 'Employee Misconduct' Defense," HR Daily Advisor, November 22, 2019
  • "How to Take Advantage of OSHA's 'Employee Misconduct' Defense," Louisiana Employment Law Letter, September 2019
  • “INSIGHT: Employers Watch for OSHA Response to Supreme Court Deference Ruling” Bloomberg Law, August 9, 2019
  • "Are You Ready for the 300A Filing Deadline with OSHA?" Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, February 25, 2019
  • "OSHA's burden for proving repeat violations just got a little higher," Louisiana Employment Law Letter, October 1, 2018
  • "Some (don't) like it hot: heat illness prevention," Louisiana Employment Law Letter, August 5, 2018
  • "Planning for Catastrophe," Jones Walker LLP Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Client Alert, June 2018
  • "OSHA Issues Guidance Memo on Incentive, Disciplinary, and Drug-Testing Programs," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, October 31, 2016
  • "New OSHA Rule Requires Companies to Make Records Public," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, May 17, 2016
  • "Update – Enforcement of OSHA Reporting Requirements," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, March 11, 2015
  • "Reminder: February 1 Deadline for Posting of OSHA 300A Form," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, January 29, 2015
  • "OSHA Guidance on Ebola in the Workplace," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, October 21, 2014
  • "Important New OSHA Reporting Requirements and Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Injury and Illness Reporting," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, October 14, 2014
  • "So You Think OSH Act Doesn't Apply? ... Here Are Four Ways It Does," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Client Alert, November 14, 2013
  • "OSHA Proposes Further Restriction of Silica Exposures," Jones Walker LLP Client Alert, October 10, 2013
  • "New basis for contesting willful citations by OSHA," Louisiana Employment Law Letter, April 1, 2013
  • "Employers Need to Be Aware of New Modifications to OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment EBulletin, April 26, 2012
  • "OSHA's New Initiative Against Workplace Violence," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment EBulletin, January 20, 2012
  • "Summer in the City: What to do When OSHA Comes Calling on a Hot Day," Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment EBulletin, May 26, 2010
  • "OSHA's New Recordkeeping Program: Are You Ready?" Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment EBulletin, March 12, 2010

Presentations

  • "Workplace Safety Trends and Developments," Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Metairie, Louisiana, September 25, 2025
  • "Safety First," Out to Lunch Podcast, June 22, 2025
  • "The Results Are In: What To Expect With The New Presidential Administration," EHS Management Institute Resilience in Action: Empowering Sustainable Futures and Transforming EHS for Global Impact Conference, Amelia Island, Florida, January 26, 2025
  • "Current Trends in OSHA Inspections," EHS On Tap Podcast, October 2023
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, September 19, 2023
  • "Heating Things Up: OSHA's National Emphasis Program On Outdoor And Indoor Heat Hazards," EHS Management Institute "Leveraging Fresh Insights On Safety And Sustainability Processes To Accelerate Impact And Drive Business Value Across The Organization" Conference, January 22–24, 2023
  • "The Need For Transparency: Data-Sharing To Improve Health And Safety," Business Network for Offshore Wind for the OSW O&M/Health & Safety Summit, New Orleans, Louisiana, January 19–20, 2023
  • "COVID-19 Rules & Regulations: How to Respond to Pandemic-Related Complaints & Investigations," EHS Management Institute "Building Back Better: Accelerating EHS&S Priorities for a Stronger, More Resilient Tomorrow" Conference, January 23–25, 2022
  • "Employment Law Update," Louisiana Associated General Contractors/Construction Financial Management Association Seminar, January 20, 2022
  • Manufacturing & Technology's EHS Today Safety Leadership Conference, November 11, 2021
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Birmingham, Alabama, November 10, 2021
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Kenner, Louisiana, October 27, 2021
  • OSHA Multi-Employer Citation Policy, National Safety Council — 2021 Safety Congress & Expo, October 11, 2021
  • Oklahoma Safety Council's 2021 Oklahoma Safety & Health Conference, August 13, 2021
  • "What the New Administration Means for HR," Louisiana Society for Human Resource Management, March 31, 2021
  • "The Impact of COVID-19 on Safety Rules and Regulations," International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) Sustainability Conference & Exhibition, February 9, 2021
  • Jones Walker LLP Labor & Employment Webinar Series, New Orleans, Louisiana, October 13 & 15, 2020
  • "Complying with Employment Laws: OSHA & ADA During COVID-19," Louisiana Hospital Association, June 2, 2020
  • "You Don't Have to Be Big to Be Ready: Fundamentals of Crisis Management," Society of Marketing Professional Services Southeast Louisiana Chapter, May 13, 2020
  • "Evolving OSHA Issues Directly Confronting the Oil & Gas Drilling Industry," International Association of Drilling Contractors, Health, Safety, Environment & Training Conference, February 19, 2020
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Birmingham, Alabama, November 14, 2019
  • Jones Walker Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Kenner, Louisiana, September 17, 2019
  • "Update on OSHA's Regulation Changes," Jones Walker Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Kenner, Louisiana, September 25, 2018
  • "Labor and Employment Issues in the Construction Industry," New Orleans Bar Association, May 16, 2018
  • "Key Issues Affecting Medical Services at the Workplace Part I and II," ABA Mid-Winter OSHA Seminar, March 2, 2018
  • "Update on What's New with OSHA?" Jones Walker Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Metairie, Louisiana, September 19, 2017
  • "What's New with OSHA?" Jones Walker Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Metairie, Louisiana, September 29, 2016
  • "OSHA's New Aggressive Recordkeeping Approach," Jones Walker Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, September 30, 2015
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor & Employment Seminars for Management Professionals, New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, October 16, 2014
  • Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 25, 2013
  • New Orleans Labor & Employment Seminar, Jones Walker LLP New Orleans Offices, May 8, 2013
  • "Mid-Term Congressional Elections Mean Changes, But Not Necessarily The Changes You Want," Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor & Relations Conference, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, June 9, 2011
  • "Mid-Term Congressional Elections Mean Changes, But Not Necessarily The Changes You Want," Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor & Employment Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 12, 2011
  • "The Times They Are A-Changing: Change is What the Obama Administration Promised, and Change is What We've Got," Jones Walker LLP Annual Labor and Employment Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, March 11, 2010

Memberships

  • Federal Bar Association
  • Louisiana State Bar Association
  • New Orleans Bar Association  

 

New Orleans
201 St. Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70170-5100
D: 504.582.8306
F: 504.589.8306
Emailjheidingsfelder@joneswalker.com

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
    JD, cum laude, 2003
    Loyola Law Review; William L. Crowe, Sr., Memorial Scholarship
  • University of Virginia
    BA, Dean's List, 1999

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana

Court Admissions

  • US Supreme Court
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana
  • US District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana
  • US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana
  • US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

Related Practices

  • Disaster Preparedness & Recovery
  • Labor & Employment
  • Maritime Regulatory and Government Relations
  • Offshore Energy

Related Industries

  • Maritime Industry
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