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 also is 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 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 food flavorings and additives, asbestos, benzene, beryllium, butadiene, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, silica, TDI (toluene Di-isocyante) and other toxins.  She also defends food manufacturers against negligence and products liability claims.

Susan also defends corporations in class actions, employment litigation and contractual disputes relating to software and technology licensing agreements.

Career highlights include:

• 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
• As national counsel, successfully defending toxic tort claims in almost every state as well as in federal courts, including through Multi-District Litigation

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, global hazardous material regulations and food safety issues.  She is also a member of Law360's Aerospace & Defense editorial advisory board.  As chair of the firms training committee, Susan developed and implemented the firm’s legal project management training program.

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.

Honors & Recognitions

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

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

A Kid Again, volunteer

Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Technology and the Courts, member

University of Dayton School of Law Alumni Board, member

Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentor

Leadership Dublin, Class of 2010

Sedona Conference, working group; possession, custody and content commentary author