Ed Harnden is the Co-Managing Partner at Barran Liebman LLP, where he represents employers in all stages of employment litigation and handles employment dispute resolution.  He has tried over 100 employment law cases and is a renowned litigator, respected adversary, and a leader in the courtroom as well as our community.  In addition to being honored by the U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society with a Lifetime Service Award in 2022, Ed was awarded with the Oregon State Bar President’s Public Service Award in 2016.  In 2012, Ed was honored with the Multnomah Bar Association Professionalism Award, and in 2011, he was the recipient of both The Henry H. Hewitt Access to Justice Award, presented by The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice, and the Legal Leader of the Year Award, presented by the Daily Journal of Commerce.  In 2010, he was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers, the premier professional trial organization in America, and serves as Past Chair of its Access to Justice & Legal Services Committee.  In 2009, he was the recipient of the Judge Learned Hand Lifetime Humanitarian Achievement Award for his civic services throughout the community.  He has served as Board President for the Multnomah Bar Foundation, as the President of the Oregon State Bar, and continues to actively serve on the boards of several community and bar organizations.  He is a past president of the Professional Liability Fund, and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.  He is involved regionally and nationally in developing advanced leadership and management roles for law firms and lawyers.  In addition, Ed was elected by his national colleagues as a national Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers for his sustained outstanding performance in the profession. In the Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine, he was once again honored as a Top Attorney in 2024. Ed is also ranked in Band 1 for Labor and Employment Law defense in the State of Oregon by Chambers & Partners USA.  Ed speaks regularly on employment law topics at conferences across the country, and has been featured on local news programs as well.  Additionally, Ed is often quoted by major publications, including The Wall Street Journal and The Oregonian.

Representative Matters

• American College of Trial Lawyers: Access to Justice & Legal Services Committee, Chair (2019-2021); Fellow (2010-present); American College of Trial Lawyers Oregon Chapter, Chair (2016-2018)

• Litigation Counsel of America: Order of Centurions, Barrister

• Trial Law Institute: Member

• Diversity Law Institute: Member

• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers: Fellow

• State of Oregon Public Officials Compensation Commission: Member

• Oregon State Bar: Board of Governors, President (2001); Board of Bar Examiners, Vice-Chair and Special Extended Appointment; Board of Bar Examiners Review Board, Chair; Litigation Journal Editorial Board; Uniform Jury Instructions Committee; Continuing Legal Education Committee; Speaker at and Author of articles for CLE sessions on employment law and general litigation issues; Leadership Mentor; Award of Merit (2002); The State of Access to Justice in Oregon (Statewide Assessment of Legal Needs), Chair; Oregon Appellate System Review Task Force, Chair; Leadership College Advisory Board

• American Bar Association: National Conference of Bar Presidents; Section on The State Attorneys General and Department of Justice Committee, Section of State and Local Government Law, Founding Member; Trial By Jury Task Force Leadership Council; Litigation and Labor and Employment Law Sections; Young Lawyers Section State Membership, Chair

• American Bar Foundation: Life Fellow and State Chair

• Multnomah Bar Association: President (1996-1997); Board of Directors, Treasurer; Judicial Selection Committee; Pro-bono Programs Task Force, Chair; CLE Committee, Chair; Long Range Planning Committee, Chair; Mentor Committee and Mentor for New Attorneys; Speaker at CLE sessions; Award of Merit for outstanding service to the profession; Professionalism Task Force

• Multnomah Bar Foundation: Development Committee Chair (2010, 2013); President, Board of Directors (2012)

• National Legal Aid & Defender Association: Portland Host Committee Chair (2013-present)

• Professional Liability Fund: Board of Directors, Chair (1995)

• Owen M. Panner Inn of Court: Master of the Bench

• Defense Research Institute: Member

• Federal Bar Association: Member

• Multnomah County Commission: Courthouse Replacement Steering Committee

• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel: Member

• Oregon Courts Historical Society: President; Board of Directors

• Oregon Minority Lawyers Association: Member

• U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society: Membership Chair for Oregon and Ninth Circuit; Membership Services Award (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)

Professional Experience & Affiliations

• American College of Trial Lawyers: Access to Justice & Legal Services Committee, Chair (2019-2021); Fellow (2010-present); American College of Trial Lawyers Oregon Chapter, Chair (2016-2018)

• Litigation Counsel of America: Order of Centurions, Barrister

• Trial Law Institute: Member

• Diversity Law Institute: Member

• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers: Fellow

• State of Oregon Public Officials Compensation Commission: Member

• Oregon State Bar: Board of Governors, President (2001); Board of Bar Examiners, Vice-Chair and Special Extended Appointment; Board of Bar Examiners Review Board, Chair; Litigation Journal Editorial Board; Uniform Jury Instructions Committee; Continuing Legal Education Committee; Speaker at and Author of articles for CLE sessions on employment law and general litigation issues; Leadership Mentor; The State of Access to Justice in Oregon (Statewide Assessment of Legal Needs), Chair; Oregon Appellate System Review Task Force, Chair; Leadership College Advisory Board

• American Bar Association: National Conference of Bar Presidents; Section on The State Attorneys General and Department of Justice Committee, Section of State and Local Government Law, Founding Member; Trial By Jury Task Force Leadership Council; Litigation and Labor and Employment Law Sections; Young Lawyers Section State Membership, Chair

• American Bar Foundation: Life Fellow and State Chair

• Multnomah Bar Association: President (1996-1997); Board of Directors, Treasurer; Judicial Selection Committee; Pro-bono Programs Task Force, Chair; CLE Committee, Chair; Long Range Planning Committee, Chair; Mentor Committee and Mentor for New Attorneys; Speaker at CLE sessions; Professionalism Task Force

• Multnomah Bar Foundation: Development Committee Chair (2010, 2013); Board of Directors, President (2012)

• National Legal Aid & Defender Association: Portland Host Committee Chair (2013-present)

• Professional Liability Fund: Board of Directors, Chair (1995)

• Owen M. Panner Inn of Court: Master of the Bench

• Defense Research Institute: Member

• Federal Bar Association: Member

• Multnomah County Commission: Courthouse Replacement Steering Committee

• Oregon Association of Defense Counsel: Member

• Oregon Courts Historical Society: Board of Directors, President

• Oregon Minority Lawyers Association: Member

Honors

• Oregon State Bar: Top Pro Bono Contributor for the 2022 Year (2023)

• U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society: Lifetime Service Award (2022)

• U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society: Oregon and Ninth Circuit, Membership Chair (1996-1999); Membership Services Award (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)

• The U.S. District Court of Oregon Historical Society Newsletter: Lifetime Member (2012)

• The American Bar Association: Grassroots Advocacy Award (2017)

• Oregon State Bar: President’s Public Service Award (2016); Award of Merit (2002)

• Global Business Awards: Honoree (2015)

• Multnomah Bar Association: Professionalism Award (2012); Award of Merit (1990)

• Daily Journal of Commerce: Legal Leader of the Year Award (2011)

• The Lawyers’ Campaign for Equal Justice: The Henry H. Hewitt Access to Justice Award (2011)

• Oregon Area Jewish Committee: Judge Learned Hand Lifetime Humanitarian Achievement Award (2009)

• Oregon Bench and Bar Commission on Professionalism: Edwin J. Peterson Professionalism Award (2007)

• Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College: Honorary Alumnus Award (2001)

• College of Labor and Employment Lawyers: Fellow of the College (2003-present)

• American College of Trial Lawyers: Fellow of the College (2010-present)

• Litigation Counsel of America: Senior Fellow

• The Best Lawyers in America: Lawyer of the Year in Labor and Employment Litigation (2018); Listed in The Best Lawyers in America Directory (2004-present)

• Oregon Super Lawyers Magazine: #3 Point Getter (2017); #1 Point Getter (2016); Top Ten Attorneys (2010-2020); Top 50 Attorneys (2006-2022); Super Lawyer (2006-present)

• Ranked by Chambers & Partners USA: Band 1 for Labor and Employment Lawyers in Oregon (2009-present)

Civic Activities

• Campaign for Equal Justice: Board of Directors; Emeritus (2021-present); Chair (2006-2010); Campaign Co-Chair (2000-2005)

• Portland Interscholastic League Athletic Hall of Fame: Board of Directors; General Counsel (2006-present)

• Japan-American Society of Oregon: Board of Directors

• Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College: Board of Visitors

• Oregon Law Related Educational Program (Classroom Law Project): Board of Directors; President; Legal Citizen of the Year Selection Committee, Chair; Schools Liaison; Mock Trial Committee, Chair

• All Hands Raised (Portland Schools Foundation): Ex Officio Board Member; Legal Counsel

• Camp UKANDU: Sponsor

• Association of Oregon Industries: Member

• Babe Ruth Baseball: Board of Directors; Coach

• Lincoln High School Booster Club: Board of Directors, President

• Oregon Access to Justice Endowment Fund: Board of Directors, President

• The City Club of Portland: Member

• Oregon Business Association: Member

• Oregon Historical Society: Member

• Portland Business Alliance: Member

• Uniting to Understand Racism Foundation: Board of Directors, President