The Early Days

Heaton & Associates was formed in February of 2007 under its true legal name of Adam W. Heaton, P.C. as a means for attorney Adam W. Heaton to provide educational opportunities to aspiring entrepreneurs through the community education programs of South Washington County Community Education, Saint Paul College Continuing Education & Training, and the White Bear Lake Area Schools Community Services Department.

In January 2008, Heaton severed ties with the firm he had been with for several years and began offering legal services through Adam W. Heaton P.C.  More than a dozen new clients retained the firm during the first week of February 2008, prompting Heaton to convince Edwin A. Cook, III to become the second attorney with the firm, immediately followed by the filing of a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State listing “Heaton & Associates” as the new name for the firm.

From time-to-time Heaton and Cook, each with a laptop computer, would meet at locations with free wireless internet service to work together to develop and provide the firm’s clients with the legal advice and counsel appropriate for their respective situations. Months passed and then in early June 2008 Charlotte M. Reed, a friend of both Heaton and Cook, became the firm’s third attorney.