backATLANTA, June 30, 2014 – John W. Harbin, a partner at King & Spalding, is the recipient of a 2014 Intellectual Property Community Service Award presented annually by Georgia State University School of Law. The award recognizes intellectual property professionals who have made significant contributions to the community, particularly to those in need. Harbin will receive the award at ceremonies at GSU in October.
“John has made exemplary contributions to public service while continuing to meet the demands of an active intellectual property practice, and we congratulate him for being recognized for this noteworthy personal achievement,” said Robert D. Hays, Jr., chairman of King & Spalding. “We encourage our lawyers and staff to give back to the communities in which they live and work, efforts which enhance and enrich the quality of life for everyone.”
Harbin directs his community service efforts to the Atlanta community, the justice system and to individuals who cannot pay for legal representation. Chief among his pro bono accomplishments is his role as lead partner in the groundbreaking representation of four Brazilian women who contended they were sex-trafficked as minors by an American fishing tour operator—a notable case because it is the first time the federal Trafficking Victims Protection Act has been used by alleged victims of trafficking to seek damages from an alleged sex tour operation. Also, under the auspices of The Barton Child Law and Policy Center, Harbin and a group of law students drafted amendments to strengthen Georgia’s anti-trafficking laws, including strengthening the penalties for the trafficking of minors. The draft also included provisions establishing an affirmative defense of coercion for the victims of trafficking and allowing prosecutors to seize the proceeds of illegal trafficking under forfeiture provisions. A version of the bill was passed, and it was signed into law by Gov. Nathan Deal.
Working with Georgia Appleseed, Harbin led a King & Spalding team in a study of the effects of Georgia’s foster care system on educational stability for foster children in Georgia. He also headed up efforts by King & Spalding on behalf of a death row inmate and achieved a substantial victory when the Georgia Supreme Court reversed the death sentence and remanded the case for a new sentencing trial. The case marked the first time the Georgia Supreme Court reversed a capital sentence based on the admission of improper victim impact testimony during the sentencing phase of the trial. Harbin has held numerous leadership positions in civic and bar organizations such as Voices for Georgia’s Children, a nonprofit child policy and advocacy organization, and the Atlanta Bar Association.
Harbin has more than 25 years of trial experience in intellectual property and complex business cases and has tried more than 30 jury and bench trials in jurisdictions throughout the United States. He is a member of King & Spalding’s intellectual property practice, resident in the firm’s Atlanta office.
About King & Spalding
Celebrating more than 125 years of service, King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 800 lawyers in 17 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and is consistently recognized for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.