Edwin Harnden

Practice Areas

Class Actions

Compliance Advice

Complex Employment-Related Commercial Litigation

Directors & Officers Coverage

Employment Law Advice & Litigation

Higher Education Representation

On-Site Employment Law Training

Professional Malpractice Defense (E&O)

Policy Advice & Preparation

Reductions in Force

Social Media

Successorship & Acquisitions

Wage & Hour

Career

Ed Harnden is a 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.

Professional Memberships

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 (2013-2025)

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)

Education