Lawyer Bio : Debbie W. Harden

Debbie has been a business litigator for over 25 years, with a focus on class actions and other complex corporate and commercial litigation including insurance company, ERISA and other fiduciary representations. Debbie has successfully defended clients in insurance, consumer finance, real estate, mortgage, antitrust, securities, and tax class litigation. With respect to fiduciary litigation, Debbie has over 20 years experience with six defense verdicts and countless summary judgments obtained for Womble clients as lead counsel. Debbie's experience in corporate and commercial litigation ranges from partnership and corporate formation, governance, acquisition and transaction disputes to insurance and commercial lending lawsuits. Debbie has been recognized as one of the country's leading trial lawyers by The Best Lawyers in America and North Carolina Super Lawyers.

Representative Cases
Gary Rose v. SLM Financial Corporation and SLM Mortgage Corporation-NC, et al - United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Class certification denied in case alleging bait and switch tactics by mortgage broker.

Thorn, et al v. Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company - United States District Court for the District of South Carolina and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Class certification denial, affirmed in a two - one decision on appeal for Jefferson-Pilot in an alleged discrimination case involving the sale of life insurance policies to minorities.

Ray, et al v. Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation - Ashe County Superior Court, before specially-appointed judge, the Honorable John Jolly, currently of the North Carolina Business Court. Class certification denied in real estate based lawsuit.

Builders Mutual Insurance Company - North Carolina Department of Insurance investigation. Successful representation of special committee of the Board of Directors charged with investigation and resolution of allegations of improper conduct by the Board.

ABF Freight Systems, Inc. et al (five related cases) - United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte and Asheville Divisions and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Obtained five defense judgments after separate trials in ERISA severance lawsuits. Affirmed on appeal.

Howerton et al v. Bank of America, N.A. - Mecklenburg County Superior Court. Favorable settlement after years of litigation with beneficiary alleging breach of fiduciary duty involving investments, distributions and conflicts of interest.

Charlotte Medical Clinic v. Wachovia Bank, N.A. - United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina. Favorably settled breach of fiduciary duty claim regarding investments and implementation of investment directives.

Riley, et al v. Murdock, Fieldcrest Cannon et al - United States District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina and Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Summary judgment obtained for Fieldcrest Cannon on alleged ERISA breach of fiduciary duty claims and state law claims regarding the annuity funding of a pension plan. Case affirmed on appeal.

Praxair, Inc. v. Airgas, Inc. et al - North Carolina Business Court before the Honorable Ben Tennile. Successful opposition to multi-day summary judgment proceeding and Daubert challenges in dispute arising from breach of right of first refusal. Settled thereafter.