Susan Barrett Harty

Susan is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the litigation practice group.  She is national counsel for a Fortune 50 corporation, defending it on all toxic tort products and premises liability, intentional tort and workers’ compensation matters.  She also is national counsel for a Fortune 500 corporation in toxic tort and premises liability matters.  Susan is also a member of the national toxic torts defense team for another Fortune 500 company.  She has assisted multinational clients in developing and implementing litigation hold policies and records management programs.  She also develops strategies for the client’s compliance with emerging issues such as PFAS as well as international hazardous material regulations, such as REACH, (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical Substances), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals).  Susan develops product warning and risk reduction programs for clients and works extensively with experts on medical, industrial hygiene, epidemiology, human factors and toxicological issues regarding PFAS, food flavorings and additives, asbestos, benzene, beryllium, butadiene, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, silica, TDI (toluene Di-isocyante) and other toxins. 

Career highlights include:

• As national counsel, successfully defending toxic tort products and premises claims in almost every state as well as in federal courts, including through Multi-District Litigation
• Successfully defending five wage and hour class action lawsuits in Massachusetts and obtaining a favorable decision in the Massachusetts Supreme Court
• Securing the dismissal of a putative class action alleging claims of fraud and breach of contract against a software developer

Susan is a frequent speaker and writer on topics regarding class actions, litigation holds, e-discovery and the recent changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, REACH, China RoHS, European Union RoHS and global hazardous material regulations.  She is chair of the firm's Rates, Fees and Engagements Committee and a member of the firm's Management Committee.  She previously served as a member of Law360's Aerospace & Defense editorial advisory board.  

Susan received her J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Dayton School Of Law and her B.A. with honors from the University of Dayton.

Susan also is the founder and initial co-chair of Vorys Women’s Initiative.

As chair of the firm's training committee, Susan developed and implemented the firm’s comprehensive attorney training program. 

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2024

Columbus CEO, Best Lawyers, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions, 2022-2023

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2014, 2017

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Class Action / Mass Torts, 2005-2006

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated   

Professional & Community Activities

WELD (Women for Economic and Leadership Development), National Board Member; Chair of External Relations Committee; Executive Committee Member; Compensation Committee Member

A Kid Again, Volunteer

Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Technology and the Courts, Former Member

University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Board, Former Member

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentor

Leadership Dublin, Class of 2010

Sedona Conference, Working Group; possession, custody and content commentary author