The mining community lost a great friend and advocate with the recent passing of Michael Heenan.
Those who read Pit & Quarry’s “MSHA & The Law” column remember Mike’s years of thoughtful and concise writing focusing on legal issues affecting the mining industry. His insights and advice relied on a core belief in the honest presentation of the facts, thorough evaluation of the impact of every issue, a willingness to listen and give credit to opposing views, and the critical importance of being collegial in a spirit of good faith.
These beliefs were not just an outline for a monthly article; they were the basis for Mike’s 40-year career as a mine safety lawyer and in the way he lived his life.
About Mike’s career
Mike Heenan began his career as a Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) litigator just as the 1977 Mine Act was going into effect.
Almost every case involved developing new law and procedures. His colleagues at the time talk of his boundless energy and curiosity that fueled the development of his comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of mining operations and the safety compliance issues that they generate.
Mike recognized early on that a critical component of the effort to achieve the safety goals of the Mine Act was to encourage – when possible – cooperation among all of the interested parties (mine operators, miners and MSHA) and develop a workable and effective system for successful safety compliance.
Mike applied those principles in founding his own law firm and building one of the preeminent mine safety practices in the country. He was renowned in the mining industry for his adept counsel and keen legal knowledge.
He was a sought-after public speaker. His hard work and practical analysis formed the basis for an abiding trust from his clients – many of whom became lifelong friends. The outpouring of sentiment from those industry colleagues and government counsel are a testament to his success as a lawyer and friend.
Mike also excelled in mentoring young lawyers, preparing them for success as litigators and honing their workplace safety expertise. We were just two of the many lawyers whose careers benefitted from his mentorship.
We spent many years on the road with Mike in mining communities like Elko, Sweetwater, Victorville and Pikeville. The stories and the comradery were endless. Mike was always concerned about our well-being and always interested in providing whatever guidance we needed to advance our development as lawyers.
In the Mine Safety Practice, you could not ask for better guidance. He was a lawyer’s lawyer, but that was only a part of his story.
Mike outside of work
Mike grew up in Pittsburgh, the son of a labor lawyer. He learned to speak fluent Spanish as a teenager after working as a cowboy for several summers herding cattle on a ranch in Panama.
He was a naval officer who met his wife, Mary, while his ship was docked in Boston. They were married within weeks.
He was the rock for his three children, and all of us who knew and loved Mary, when she died in 1999. He was the loyal chase team for his second wife, Patty, in every marathon, half marathon and 10 miler she ever ran. Together, they loved travel, adventure and moderating the coolest book club ever. He was a proud grandfather.
In his retirement, any concerns we had about what Mike would do once he was finished with the law were quickly dispelled. Through study, practice and tenacity, Mike became an accomplished painter whose works won awards and cost some money. Many of his paintings are on walls in the homes of his former colleagues.
There is so much more. Those of us who knew Mike well were better for that relationship and have never taken his impact in our lives for granted. Mike left his mark and will really be missed.
Bill Doran and Margo Lopez are with the national labor, employment and safety law firm Ogletree Deakins. They can be reached at william.doran@ogletree.com and margaret.lopez@ogletree.com.
