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(717) 234-4121

(412) 671-5525

Tucker Arensberg Attorneys Criminal Defense Group
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Attorney Profiles

Heidi R. Freese

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Attorney Heidi Freese casual photo.

Phone

(717) 221-7967

Email

hfreese@tuckerlaw.com

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Presentations & Trainings

Heidi is a regular presenter and speaker. Some of her recent speaking and teaching engagements include:

  • Office of  Judicial Integrity, Circuit Director of Workplace Conduct Coordinators  (May 2024)
  • “Walking the Line Between Boss and Friend with Greater Ease and Confidence,” Federal Defender Leadership Forum, National Defender Leadership Conference in Chicago, IL (2022)
  • “Equal Justice for All: Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Courtroom,” Keynote Speaker, Herbert B. Cohen American Inn of Court (2021)
  • National Conference of Federal Defenders, Leadership Panel in Austin, TX (2021)
  • “SmartTalk Tuesday: Federal Justice System Adapts to Pandemic”, WITF Radio, National Public Radio (2020)
  • “Plan for the Reinstitution of Jury Trials,” Middle District of Pennsylvania, Webinar Panelist
  • “Problem Solving I: The Lawyer and Client,” Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, Instructor (2016-2019)
  • “Lawyering in a Global World: Context and Competencies,” Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, Guest Lecturer (2016-2019)
  • “Federal Criminal Law Update,” Dauphin County Bar Association, Instructor (2018)
  • Triston “Chase” O’Savio Intraschool Moot Court Competition, Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, Judge (2018-2023)
  • Trial Skills Workshop, “Mastering Technology to Present, Persuade, and Prevail,” Federal Bar Association and Office of the Federal Public Defender, Instructor (2018)
  • “First Step Act: Practice Trip and Unexpected Traps,” Charles F. Greevy, Jr. American Inn of Court and Federal Public Defender’s Office, Panelist (2018)
  • “Drug Crimes in Pennsylvania,” Dickinson Law Criminal Society, Panelist (2016)
  • “Rethinking Reentry: Prosecution, Defense, and Human Rights Perspective,” Penn State Law Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic, Panelist (2016)
  • “Technology in the Courtroom,” Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Faculty Instructor (2015)
  • “Federal Criminal Practice,” Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, Guest Lecturer (2012-2019)
  • ATLA Trial Team, Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University, Professional Coach (2004-2006)
Practice Areas
  • Criminal Defense
  • White-Collar Criminal Defense
Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
Education
  • The Dickinson School of Law (JD)
  • Millersville University (BA)
Professional & Community Affiliations
  • Federal Bar Association, Member
  • National Association of Federal Defenders, Member
  • National Association of Public Defenders, Member
  • Pennsylvania Classics Soccer Club, Board Member
  • Northern Girls Basketball, Vice President
  • Central Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Club, Arbitrator 
  • Northern High School, Mock Trial Coach
  • Dickinson Law School, Criminal Law Society Advisor
  • Dillsburg Area Soccer Club, former President
Appointments & Federal Court Work
  • Appointed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in 2017 for a renewable four year term. Reappointed in 2021.
    • Two cases went before the U.S. Supreme Court during her 2023-2024 term
  • Federal Court Work:
    • Third Circuit Advisory Committee: Chair (2023), Vice-Chair (2022)
    • CJA Management & Selection Committee: Co-Chair with Chief Judge (2017-2024)
    • United States Magistrate Judge Reappointment Committee (Martin C. Carlson, 2017)
    • United States Magistrate Judge Selection Committee (Daryl F. Bloom, 2023)
    • Plan for Reinstitution of Jury Proceedings, Drafted and Presented with Court
    • MDPA COVID-19 Committee
    • Bench Bar Committee: Served on Board of Judges committee, 2016

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Heidi R. Freese

Experienced Federal Public Defender and Legal Educator.

Heidi R. Freese is an accomplished attorney who has dedicated her career to the defense of indigent federal criminal defendants. Appointed as the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in September 2017, Heidi was reappointed in 2021, underscoring her commitment to seeking equal justice for all. During her tenure as the Federal Public Defender, the office’s appellate unit notably litigated two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2023-2024 term, reflecting her involvement in high-stakes litigation.

During Heidi’s service as the Federal Public Defender, she managed an independent caseload while overseeing the Middle District’s federal defender operations. In this leadership position, Heidi also oversaw the selection and management of Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorneys and hired and supervised attorneys and staff. Heidi handled all aspects of management and honed her creative problem-solving and leadership skills. Prior to her appointment as Federal Public Defender, Heidi served for ten years as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. In this capacity, she acted as lead counsel in hundreds of federal criminal cases, litigated complex competency and pretrial motions, conducted numerous jury and non-jury trials, and represented defendants and witnesses in grand jury investigations. Heidi also has extensive experience in handling complex sentencing proceedings and in representing defendants in non-capital habeas corpus petitions, one of which led to the overturning of a York County murder conviction in federal court.

Earlier in her career, Heidi was appointed to serve as a Juvenile Delinquency Master, where she presided over emergency detention and juvenile delinquency hearings for the York County Court of Common Pleas. Her role included conducting restitution hearings, reviewing juvenile placements, and drafting findings of fact and recommendations to the court. Heidi also worked as an Associate Attorney in the private sector, practicing criminal defense in state and federal courts. During this period, she also represented over 400 court-appointed clients in York County, served as a CJA panel attorney, and earned her death penalty certification, handling cases ranging from minor traffic offenses to capital homicide.

In addition to her extensive legal practice, Heidi Freese is actively involved in academia. She serves as Adjunct Faculty at Penn State Dickinson Law, where she teaches Federal Criminal Practice and serves as the school’s Criminal Justice Externship Faculty Advisor. Heidi has also served as a Guest Lecturer on a variety of topics and a Trial Team Advisor for the school’s American Association of Justice (AAJ) team formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Heidi has done significant work in the areas of Diversity & Inclusion, promoting equitable practices within the local, regional, and national legal communities. Furthermore, based on her interests and extensive community service in the youth sports arena, she aims to branch into NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) representation.