Benesch is pleased to announce that Kate Harmon has been elected President of the Delaware State Bar Association (DSBA). Prior to taking on this role, Kate served as Member-at-Large, Assistant Treasurer, Treasurer, Vice-President of New Castle County, DSBA’s Vice President At-Large and most recently as DSBA’s President-Elect.
This is Kate’s eighth year serving on the Committee. She previously served as President-Elect in 2022-2023. Kate has also served as co-chair of the DSBA’s Women and the Law Section, on the planning committee for the DSBA’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Breakfast and Statewide Day of Service, the DSBA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the DSBA Professional Ethics Committee and the DSBA Finance Committee.
Speaking at this year’s Bench and Bar Conference, the theme of which was “DSBA 100 Years – Looking Back, Moving Forward,” Kate remarked:
“In the DSBA’s 100-year history, I am just the 10th female-identifying individual to lead this organization. This is an interesting time in our organization’s history. We have a real opportunity to shape the future of the Delaware Bar and the DSBA.
Looking Back, Moving Forward.
It is for sure important to look back – to know where we have been. It is important to acknowledge our shortcomings and failures. We can vow not to repeat those failures and resolve to repair where we can.
It is also important to celebrate our past achievements.
Those that came before us laid the foundation for what is inarguably the best bar in the country in terms of professionalism, integrity, and civility.
As we look forward, there is still so much more to do – we have so much untapped potential in this small but very mighty community.
So – this year will be about the Moving Forward.
My sincere hope is that each of us who has any ability to effect change – whether that be within our office, our department, our organization, or our community – will be moved to act and be an agent of change. The next 100 years of the DSBA and our Bar depend on it.”
Kate is a partner in Benesch’s litigation department where she finds joy in helping her clients efficiently identify and execute on innovative solutions to business disputes and questions. Creative collaboration with her client teams and Benesch team is Kate’s favorite part of her practice. Kate focuses her practice on commercial litigation across industries in Delaware’s state and federal courts as well as in courts throughout various other jurisdictions. She also has experience in bankruptcy litigation, corporate litigation, corporate governance, entity formation, non-profit representation, insurance coverage disputes, and intellectual property matters.
Kate is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion and she strives to advance these principles in all areas of her life, both personally and professionally. In addition to her service in various capacities to the Delaware State Bar Association, Kate enjoys serving on Benesch’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and the firm’s First in Service Committee and recently completed a term as Vice-Chair of the firm’s Associate Development Committee. She relishes serving as a mentor to many young Delaware attorneys and proudly provides pro bono services as a Child Attorney through the Delaware Office of the Child Advocate.
Kate received her J.D. from Temple University Beasley School of Law, her Masters in Social Service and Masters in Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, and her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Delaware. A proud Delawarean born and raised, Kate lives in Wilmington with her husband and two children.