Heyl Royster

Heidi Agustsson

Of Counsel
Rockford, IL

Joined Firm in 2006

Heidi is a straight shooter. Her practice philosophy is simple.  No matter the size or extent of the injuries or damages claimed, she and her clients are a team going into battle together.

  • Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media
  • Rockford Chamber of Commerce Leadership & Community Awareness Graduate
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Heidi Agustsson

Attorney in Rockford, IL

Heidi Agustsson understands that a successful relationship is built not only on honesty but knowing the facts (the good, the bad, and the ugly).  Combined with hard work and shared goals, it is important to Heidi to establish a strong working relationship with her clients, ensuring they have access to her and instilling confidence that their case is being handled promptly and efficiently. Her clients appreciate her truthful direct communication about the challenges they may face.

Heidi began practicing law in 2000 after graduation from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law. She joined Heyl Royster in 2006, becoming a partner in 2012. Heidi was offered an opportunity in 2019 to work in-house with an insurance company writing legal professional liability policies. She obtained her adjuster's license which allowed her to gain experience and understand, from another perspective, the tools available to defend a client. In the spring of 2020, Heidi returned to Heyl Royster as an Of Counsel attorney. Working out of our Rockford office, Heidi's practice takes her to northern and central Illinois, as far east as Cook County and as far west as Jo Daviess County.

Heidi currently concentrates on civil defense matters, including automobile litigation, premises liability, and legal malpractice.  She represents agricultural companies, employers in Workers' Compensation cases, and companies in toxic tort claims. She has tried several cases to verdict and has handled numerous arbitrations. She has obtained defense verdicts in automobile accidents, disposed of alleged slip and fall accidents through dispositive motions, and secured dismissals of suits filed against toxic tort clients at the close of discovery. Heidi also believes in and takes advantage of several good regional mediators who assist with settlement conferences. Her opinion is that a well-written mediation position statement and a keen understanding of the details of the case, along with the assistance of a persuasive mediator, can educate opposing counsel on the true value of a claim and help the parties reach a favorable settlement.

Heidi is active in her community, serving on several boards and leading the Christopher and Jack Ruckman Music Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation, through its generous donors, provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors, as well as musical instruments/lessons and camp tuitions for children.  She is an avid runner, completing several half marathons at Disney World, various national parks, and most recently, at the Joshua Tree National Park.

Credentials

Education

J.D., University of Illinois Chicago School of Law (formerly The John Marshall School of Law), summa cum laude

Rockford Chamber of Commerce Leadership & Community Awareness

B.A., Northern Illinois University, Political Science, summa cum laude

Licensure(s) and Admission(s)

State Courts of Illinois

United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Commercial Transportation Committee, former Vice-Chair

Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, Diversity Committee, former Vice-Chair

Illinois State Bar Association 

Winnebago County Arbitrator

Winnebago County Bar Association, Trial and Appellate Section, former Chair

Winnebago County Bar Foundation, former Board of Directors

Community Involvement

Christopher and Jack Ruckman Music Memorial Scholarship Foundation, President

Discovery Center Museum, Board of Directors

Presentations/Publications

Presentations

"Outsmarting the Trucking Reptile," Defense Research Institute (2017)

"When Social Media Becomes Socially Awkward," Heyl Royster's 31st Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2016)

"Liability for Distracted Driving," Heyl Royster 30th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2015)

"Speedy Payments of Settlements Under the New Law," Winnebago County Bar Association (2014)

"Write that Check-Payments of Settlements," 29th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2014)

"Premises Liability Update," 27th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2012)

"Premises Liability Case Updates," Winnebago County Bar Association (2011)

"Building a Solid Foundation for Defense: Statement Taking Techniques," 26th Annual Claims Handling Seminar (2011)

Publications

Employer/Employee Relationship –Are Incidental Benefits Enough to Establish the Relationship?,” Illinois Defense Counsel Quarterly (2023)

"Latent Diseases Which Give Rise to Claims Brought Under the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act,Below the Red Line - Heyl Royster Workers' Compensation Newsletter (2021)

"How to Prepare Witnesses for, and Protect Them from, the Reptile During Trial," For The Defense (2017)

"Tracy Morgan Settled His Suit, But Left Behind Potential Issues Concerning A Driver's Uncompensated Off Duty Activities," ABA Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee Newsletter (2016)

Awards/Recognition

  • Leading Lawyer by Law Bulletin Media℠ - Personal Injury Defense Law: General; Toxic Torts Defense Law; Workers’ Compensation Defense Law
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