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Barb Harding

Barb Harding

Partner

101 Constitution Avenue, NW
Suite 900
Washington, D.C., 20001
T 443.392.9485
barbara.harding@nelsonmullins.com
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Barbara Mack Harding is a trial lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and legal strategist. Her practice focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional, class action and mass tort litigation, as well as commercial and business disputes. She represents U.S. and international corporations in the chemical, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and technology industries.

In addition to her national litigation practice, Barb...

Barbara Mack Harding is a trial lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and legal strategist. Her practice focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional, class action and mass tort litigation, as well as commercial and business disputes. She represents U.S. and international corporations in the chemical, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and technology industries.

In addition to her national litigation practice, Barb advises corporations on risk mitigation, risk preparedness and crisis response. She responds on site to transportation, energy, and manufacturing crisis events. She assists companies with all legal aspects of response, including internal and government investigations and liability defense strategy.

Barb previously served as Deputy Director of the Treasury Department’s White House Security Review. At DOJ, she was responsible for the first federal prosecution of crimes involving violence toward Muslims. She maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals and organizations targeted by extremist hate groups.

Barb Harding

advises corporations on risk mitigation, risk preparedness and crisis response. She responds on site to transportation, energy, and manufacturing crisis events. She assists companies with all legal aspects of response, including internal and government investigations and liability defense strategy.

Barb previously served as Deputy Director of the Treasury Department’s White House Security Review. At DOJ, she was responsible for the first federal prosecution of crimes involving violence toward Muslims. She maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals and organizations targeted by extremist hate groups.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Experience

  • Product Liability and Mass Torts
    • Lead trial counsel in three NPM Adjustment arbitration trials
    • Trial counsel for W.R. Grace in federal bankruptcy court in matter involving estimation of aggregate asbestos liability
    • Represented large renewable energy manufacturer in arbitration dispute
    • Represented chemical manufacturer in multi-district mass tort litigation involving chemical exposures
    • Represented numerous chemical manufacturers in mass tort litigation involving asbestos and talc
    • Served as national outside counsel for automotive companies in asbestos litigation
    • Represented numerous corporations in connection with assessment and estimation of mass tort liabilities
    • In connection with acquisitions and sales of numerous public and private companies, led liability estimations and investigations
  • Crisis Litigation and Representation
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in class action lawsuits involving Baltimore train derailment and allegations concerning environmental contamination
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in multi-plaintiff lawsuits involving collapse of city block
    • Represented BP in connection with Deepwater Horizon litigation
    • Strategic advice and counsel regarding risk mitigation, preparation, and response to numerous public and private companies
  • Environmental and Criminal
    • Represented W.R. Grace in Clean Air Act criminal prosecution, obtaining acquittal of all defendants on all counts. Led Daubert hearings resulting in government appeals and postponement of trial
    • Represented defendant in federal bribery trial involving allegations relating to environmental contamination
    • Represented numerous defendants in federal grand jury investigations
  • Government Experience and Pro Bono
    • Represented Charlottesville City Council members in litigation seeking to impose personal liability regarding the Council’s vote to remove Confederate statues
    • Represented gun safety advocates in litigation involving ATF ghost gun rules
    • Supervised representation of transgender victim of a brutal hate crime, securing $350,000 award
    • Supervised civil jury trial on behalf of plaintiff awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for malicious prosecution by Baltimore Police Officer
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of defendants associated with far-right extremist organizations
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of law enforcement involved in corruption and civil rights violations
    • Deputy Director for White House Security Review, resulting in closure of Pennsylvania Avenue and other classified security enhancements intended for the protection of the President at the White House

Previous Work Experience

  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (2012 – 2023)
  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (1995 – 2011)
  • Deputy Director, US Treasury Department, White House Security Review (1994-1995)
  • Prosecutor, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, (1991-1994)
  • Associate, Williams & Connolly (1988-1991)
The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Experience

  • Product Liability and Mass Torts
    • Lead trial counsel in three NPM Adjustment arbitration trials
    • Trial counsel for W.R. Grace in federal bankruptcy court in matter involving estimation of aggregate asbestos liability
    • Represented large renewable energy manufacturer in arbitration dispute
    • Represented chemical manufacturer in multi-district mass tort litigation involving chemical exposures
    • Represented numerous chemical manufacturers in mass tort litigation involving asbestos and talc
    • Served as national outside counsel for automotive companies in asbestos litigation
    • Represented numerous corporations in connection with assessment and estimation of mass tort liabilities
    • In connection with acquisitions and sales of numerous public and private companies, led liability estimations and investigations
  • Crisis Litigation and Representation
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in class action lawsuits involving Baltimore train derailment and allegations concerning environmental contamination
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in multi-plaintiff lawsuits involving collapse of city block
    • Represented BP in connection with Deepwater Horizon litigation
    • Strategic advice and counsel regarding risk mitigation, preparation, and response to numerous public and private companies
  • Environmental and Criminal
    • Represented W.R. Grace in Clean Air Act criminal prosecution, obtaining acquittal of all defendants on all counts. Led Daubert hearings resulting in government appeals and postponement of trial
    • Represented defendant in federal bribery trial involving allegations relating to environmental contamination
    • Represented numerous defendants in federal grand jury investigations
  • Government Experience and Pro Bono
    • Represented Charlottesville City Council members in litigation seeking to impose personal liability regarding the Council’s vote to remove Confederate statues
    • Represented gun safety advocates in litigation involving ATF ghost gun rules
    • Supervised representation of transgender victim of a brutal hate crime, securing $350,000 award
    • Supervised civil jury trial on behalf of plaintiff awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for malicious prosecution by Baltimore Police Officer
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of defendants associated with far-right extremist organizations
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of law enforcement involved in corruption and civil rights violations
    • Deputy Director for White House Security Review, resulting in closure of Pennsylvania Avenue and other classified security enhancements intended for the protection of the President at the White House

Previous Work Experience

  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (2012 – 2023)
  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (1995 – 2011)
  • Deputy Director, US Treasury Department, White House Security Review (1994-1995)
  • Prosecutor, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, (1991-1994)
  • Associate, Williams & Connolly (1988-1991)

Media

Visit Insights

Recognitions

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • First woman to receive the distinguished Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award from the University of Alabama
  • Featured in the SEC’s “Stories of Character” radio and television ads celebrating 75th the Anniversary of the Southeastern Conference
  • Captain, University of Alabama Gymnastics, 1982-1985

Professional Activities

  • Lifetime Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Complex Science Issues in Negotiation, Mediation and Settlement of Mass and Class Actions, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Conference
  • Women in the Courtroom: National and Science Counsel in Mass Tort Litigation, ABA Section of Litigation Regional Meeting

Community

  • Represented individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States, including travel to Laredo, Texas for interviews and trials
  • Served on non-profit boards involving education, legal aid and the arts
  • During 2020 election cycle, worked with Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to educate law enforcement, local civic organizations and the media concerning the rise in domestic militia activity and potential election interference
  • Work with the American Defamation League (ADL) to combat extremism and represent victims of hate inspired violence

Barbara Mack Harding is a trial lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and legal strategist. Her practice focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional, class action and mass tort litigation, as well as commercial and business disputes. She represents U.S. and international corporations in the chemical, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, and technology industries.

In addition to her national litigation practice, Barb... advises corporations on risk mitigation, risk preparedness and crisis response. She responds on site to transportation, energy, and manufacturing crisis events. She assists companies with all legal aspects of response, including internal and government investigations and liability defense strategy.

Barb previously served as Deputy Director of the Treasury Department’s White House Security Review. At DOJ, she was responsible for the first federal prosecution of crimes involving violence toward Muslims. She maintains an active pro bono practice, representing individuals and organizations targeted by extremist hate groups.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Experience

  • Product Liability and Mass Torts
    • Lead trial counsel in three NPM Adjustment arbitration trials
    • Trial counsel for W.R. Grace in federal bankruptcy court in matter involving estimation of aggregate asbestos liability
    • Represented large renewable energy manufacturer in arbitration dispute
    • Represented chemical manufacturer in multi-district mass tort litigation involving chemical exposures
    • Represented numerous chemical manufacturers in mass tort litigation involving asbestos and talc
    • Served as national outside counsel for automotive companies in asbestos litigation
    • Represented numerous corporations in connection with assessment and estimation of mass tort liabilities
    • In connection with acquisitions and sales of numerous public and private companies, led liability estimations and investigations
  • Crisis Litigation and Representation
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in class action lawsuits involving Baltimore train derailment and allegations concerning environmental contamination
    • Lead counsel for CSXT in multi-plaintiff lawsuits involving collapse of city block
    • Represented BP in connection with Deepwater Horizon litigation
    • Strategic advice and counsel regarding risk mitigation, preparation, and response to numerous public and private companies
  • Environmental and Criminal
    • Represented W.R. Grace in Clean Air Act criminal prosecution, obtaining acquittal of all defendants on all counts. Led Daubert hearings resulting in government appeals and postponement of trial
    • Represented defendant in federal bribery trial involving allegations relating to environmental contamination
    • Represented numerous defendants in federal grand jury investigations
  • Government Experience and Pro Bono
    • Represented Charlottesville City Council members in litigation seeking to impose personal liability regarding the Council’s vote to remove Confederate statues
    • Represented gun safety advocates in litigation involving ATF ghost gun rules
    • Supervised representation of transgender victim of a brutal hate crime, securing $350,000 award
    • Supervised civil jury trial on behalf of plaintiff awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for malicious prosecution by Baltimore Police Officer
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of defendants associated with far-right extremist organizations
    • While at DOJ, led investigations and successful prosecutions of law enforcement involved in corruption and civil rights violations
    • Deputy Director for White House Security Review, resulting in closure of Pennsylvania Avenue and other classified security enhancements intended for the protection of the President at the White House

Previous Work Experience

  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (2012 – 2023)
  • Partner, Washington, D.C. based law firm (1995 – 2011)
  • Deputy Director, US Treasury Department, White House Security Review (1994-1995)
  • Prosecutor, United States Department of Justice, Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division, (1991-1994)
  • Associate, Williams & Connolly (1988-1991)

Education

  • Georgetown University, JD (1988)
    • Magna Cum Laude
    • Dean’s Award of Merit
    • Notes and Comment Editor, Georgetown University Law Journal
  • The University of Alabama, BA (1985)
    • Magna Cum Laude
    • Phi Beta Kappa
    • Rhodes Scholar finalist
    • NCAA All American - Gymnastics
    • NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • First woman to receive the distinguished Paul W. Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award from the University of Alabama
  • Featured in the SEC’s “Stories of Character” radio and television ads celebrating 75th the Anniversary of the Southeastern Conference
  • Captain, University of Alabama Gymnastics, 1982-1985
  • Lifetime Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Complex Science Issues in Negotiation, Mediation and Settlement of Mass and Class Actions, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Conference
  • Women in the Courtroom: National and Science Counsel in Mass Tort Litigation, ABA Section of Litigation Regional Meeting
  • Represented individuals and families seeking asylum in the United States, including travel to Laredo, Texas for interviews and trials
  • Served on non-profit boards involving education, legal aid and the arts
  • During 2020 election cycle, worked with Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection to educate law enforcement, local civic organizations and the media concerning the rise in domestic militia activity and potential election interference
  • Work with the American Defamation League (ADL) to combat extremism and represent victims of hate inspired violence