Harriet has extensive experience representing a diverse range of clients in the health care, securities, and governmental sectors in litigation and public policy. She returned to the firm in May 2007 after serving in the administration of President George W. Bush from 2001-2007 as staff secretary, deputy chief of staff for policy, and counsel.
In 1972, after clerking for U.S. District Court Judge Joe E. Estes, Harriet became the first woman attorney to be hired at the Dallas firm of Locke Purnell Boren Laney & Neely. In 1996 she became the first woman to lead the firm, then known as Locke Purnell Rain Harrell. In 1999, when Locke Purnell merged with Houston-based Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, Harriet became co-managing partner, serving until she left to join the Bush administration.
Harriet has shown a deep commitment to public service throughout her career. She has served in many professional and community volunteer positions, and is a strong advocate of pro bono work and the advancement of minorities in the profession. In 1985, Harriet was selected as the first woman president of the Dallas Bar Association. In 1989, she was elected to a two-year term as an at-large member of the Dallas City Council. She then was invited to run for president of the State Bar of Texas and was elected to serve in 1992 as its first woman president. From 1995 until 2000, appointed by Governor George W. Bush, Harriet served as the chairwoman of the Texas Lottery Commission.
Over the years, Harriet also served in many leadership roles in the American Bar Association, including chair of the board of editors of the American Bar Journal and the Texas state delegate to the ABA House of Delegates. She currently serves as a member of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Harriet was inducted into the prestigious Texas Legal Legends, the highest award bestowed by the State Bar of Texas, recognizing attorneys for their lasting impact and extraordinary contributions to the legal profession.
Harriet serves as a chair of the Texas Access to Justice Commission and chair of its Legislative Committee. She serves as co-chair of the Legal Services Corporation Leaders Council, a group of high-profile and influential leaders from various industries across the U.S. formed to help raise public awareness of the need to increase resources to provide legal aid for the poor.
In 2005, Harriet received the Sandra Day O’Connor Award from the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism. She received the Robert G. Storey Award for Distinguished Achievement from the SMU Dedman School of Law. Harriet also received Distinguished Alumni Awards from SMU and the SMU Dedman School of Law.
In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated Harriet to serve as an associate justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, whose nomination was later withdrawn. She received the Department of Justice Edmund J. Randolph Award in January of 2007 for her “dedicated service to justice, the president, and the United States of America.” Harriet also received the Agency Seal Medal awarded by the Central Intelligence Agency, given to people outside the CIA who have made significant contributions to its work.
