Harlan Prater's distinguished litigation career includes major defense wins in challenging cases.
One of a select few who are Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American Board of Trial Advocates, Harlan is a tireless advocate, defending clients and protecting their interests in high-stakes civil trials. A Chambers USA Band 1 “Leading Lawyer,” Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star,” five-time Best Lawyers “Lawyer of the Year,” and Legal500 Tier 1 “Southeast Elite” honoree, clients have relied on Harlan’s experience and skill in product liability, pharmaceutical, medical device, environmental and business litigation for more than 30 years. He also represents clients in consumer fraud, antitrust and patent actions.
Harlan’s career includes landmark trials and major victories in Alabama and other venues around the country. He served as defense counsel in the largest and longest-running trial in Alabama history—an environmental contamination case that involved thousands of plaintiffs and lasted more than 19 months. His record speaks for itself, obtaining defense verdicts in cases with millions of dollars at stake for clients throughout the Southeast, including the first wrongful-death verdict in more than a decade in favor of a defendant product manufacturer in Lowndes County, Alabama. Harlan has served as national counsel for various product manufacturers and is one of only 13 Alabama lawyers selected as a member of the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC).
Harlan chairs the Alabama State Bar Committee on Disciplinary Rules and Enforcement, and he is fascinated by the implications technology and social media have on jurors. Beyond the courtroom, Harlan served as chair of the Board of Directors of the Birmingham YMCA, and he has served as the chair of the Board of Trustees for both Canterbury United Methodist Church and the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. Ann and Harlan are the proud parents of three daughters and a son, and they have two precocious grandsons who keep things lively and fun for everybody.
