About
Attorney Cecilia Heberling is a senior associate at Axley and a member of the firm’s Litigation and Labor & Employment Practice Groups. She practices in numerous areas of civil litigation, including commercial litigation, civil rights litigation, employment litigation, wage and hour litigation, and insurance defense. Attorney Heberling also advises employers and human resources professionals in all aspects of employment counseling, from compliance and risk avoidance to representation in ongoing employment disputes. She represents employers of various sizes and from an array of industries. Attorney Heberling aims to utilize her expertise in complex labor laws and litigation to assist clients in resolving employment disputes and fostering thriving workplace cultures. She has experience in both state and federal courts, as well as administrative tribunals including state, federal, and local civil rights agencies. She has favorably resolved numerous state circuit court, federal district court, and administrative complaints and on motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, and persuasive position statements. She has also resolved countless cases through settlement and alternative dispute resolution. She was named 2023 and 2024 Rising Star by Super Lawyers.
Attorney Heberling graduated Cum Laude from the Michigan State University College of Law. As a law student, she was a member of the Chance at Childhood Clinic, and she graduated with a certification in Child and Family Advocacy. She also earned numerous accolades as a moot court competitor, including a Jessup International Law Moot Court Regional Competition Top 5 brief award and Top 15 oral argument award. Attorney Heberling was also a member of the Board of Advocates and coached rising second- and third-year law students in moot court competitions. Attorney Heberling also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from St. Norbert College, where her academic success earned her discipline awards in the History and Women’s and Gender Studies Departments and membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society.
When not in the office, Attorney Heberling enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Admitted to practice in the State Courts of Wisconsin, United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin.
Education
J.D., cum laude, Michigan State University College of Law
- Child and Family Advocacy Certificate
B.A., summa cum laude, History, St. Norbert College,
- Phi Betta Delta Honors Society for International Scholars Member
- Honors Society of Phi Kappa Phi Member
- History Department Leslie Kroscel Memorial Award Recipient
- Cassandra J. Voss Award in Women’s and Gender Studies Recipient
Involvement & Recognition
Involvement:
- Member, Metro Milwaukee SHRM
Recognition:
- Named to the 2023-2024 Wisconsin Rising Stars Lists
Client Successes
Prevailed on a motion for reconsideration to vacate a default judgment and reopen a breach of contract case. Promptly won a motion to dismiss the case in its entirely based on untimely service.
Obtained summary judgement in federal district court on behalf of school district of former employee’s claim for failure to accommodate an alleged disability, FMLA interference, constructive discharge and retaliation.
Prevailed on summary judgment motion and obtained dismissal of student’s claims against school district which stemmed from injuries student received in a welding class. Court rejected plaintiff’s arguments that a “known and compelling danger” existed.