In Loving Memory of Josephine Hardin
Brilliant Legal Mind, Devoted Volunteer, and Cherished Friend
It is with overwhelming sadness and a profound sense of loss that the law office of Huff Powell Bailey (HPB) announces the tragic passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Josephine Hardin. Josephine and her mother, Alyson Hardin, were visiting family in Texas for the Fourth of July weekend when they lost their lives in the flash flooding that struck in the early hours of Friday, July 4th.
Their deaths are part of a catastrophe that has claimed the lives of over 100 victims, with more than 170 individuals reported missing, most in Kerr County, Texas, where the flooding has left devastation and heartbreak in its wake. As of Thursday, the death toll stands at 120, a stark reminder of the magnitude of this natural disaster.
In a statement, Huff Powell Bailey shared:
“Josephine was a beloved member of our firm. She spent her summer with HPB in 2022 and then joined the firm as an associate in 2023 after graduating with Honors from Emory University School of Law, where she served as the Editor in Chief of the Emory International Law Review and was designated a David Bederman Fellow of International Law.”
Josephine’s academic accomplishments were nothing short of remarkable. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, graduating magna cum laude in 2019 with a B.A. in Environmental Sustainability, reflecting her deep and lasting passion for the world around her and her dedication to thoughtful, meaningful change.
But Josephine’s story isn’t only one of excellence—it’s one of compassion, integrity, and service. She was deeply committed to giving back to her community and exemplified the spirit of pro bono work and advocacy for the underserved. She was a regular volunteer with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF) and became HPB’s AVLF liaison in 2024. She also generously gave her time to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Georgia Society of Healthcare Risk Managers, embodying the ideal of a lawyer as both a professional and a public servant.
Those who worked alongside Josephine will remember her not only for her sharp intellect and tireless work ethic, but for her vibrant personality—smart, beautifully quirky, and endlessly kind. She brought laughter into the room, forged deep friendships within the firm, and left a lasting impact on every client, colleague, and cause she touched.
Josephine’s leadership, both formal and quiet, made the firm better. She helped people come together, reminded us to look beyond the brief and into the heart of the matter, and made us think more deeply about how to serve those who need it most. Her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched, the good she did, and the memories we now hold so dearly.
To lose Josephine—and her mother Alyson—in such a tragic and sudden way is a heartbreak we are still struggling to comprehend. As a firm, we extend our deepest condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones. We grieve beside you and stand with you in this unimaginable time.
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” – Helen Keller
Rest in peace, Josephine Hardin.
Thank you for your brilliance, your generosity, your laughter, and your heart.
We will carry your memory with us—in every case we fight, every cause we serve, and every moment we come together as a firm and a family.
You will never be forgotten.