Barbara has been with Davis & Harman LLP since 2005, representing clients on tax and benefits issues before the U.S. Congress. Barbara's extensive experience includes several positions with Members of Congress.
She served as Tax Counsel and Legislative Director to U.S. Representative Rob Portman (R-Ohio) from 1995 to 2005. During the ten years she worked with Congressman Portman, Barbara played a central role in the development and enactment of a series of bipartisan pension bills authored by Rep. Portman and Rep. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland). She was also the key advisor on tax matters to Rep. Portman, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and House Republican Leadership. As Co-chairman Portman's congressional liaison to the Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service, Barbara helped develop and enact landmark legislation increasing taxpayers' rights and ensuring IRS oversight and accountability.
Prior to working with Rep. Portman, Barbara served as Tax Counsel, Legislative Director, and Chief of Staff to Representative J.J. Pickle (D-Texas). She advised Rep. Pickle on successful legislative initiatives to encourage research and development, provide capital through dividend reinvestment, and promote retirement savings. Her portfolio also included extensive work on tax-exempt bonds, charitable organizations and energy taxes. She served as Chairman Pickle's liaison to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight.
Barbara is a member of the District of Columbia and Texas Bar Associations. She is a founding member and former co-chair of the Tax Coalition, a forum for professionals involved in federal tax policymaking.
Barbara graduated with high honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 and received her J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1978. Prior to moving to Washington, D.C., she worked in the Texas House of Representatives, serving as Legislative Counsel to a member of the Ways and Means Committee.
Prior Experience
- Tax Counsel and Legislative Director to U.S. Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio)
- Tax Counsel, Legislative Director and Chief of Staff to Rep. J.J. Pickle (D-Texas)
Professional Memberships
- Founding member and former co-chair, Tax Coalition
- Member and former officer, Texas State Society
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