ATLANTA, GA — The legal community is mourning the devastating loss of Josephine Hardin, a promising young attorney at the Atlanta-based law firm Huff Powell Bailey, who tragically lost her life alongside her mother, Alyson Hardin, during the catastrophic flash flooding in Texas on the morning of Friday, July 4th.
The two were visiting family for the holiday weekend when they were caught in the floodwaters. Their deaths are among the many heartbreaking casualties from the disaster that has left more than 170 people reported missing, with the highest concentration in Kerr County, Texas, where nearly 100 victims have already been recovered.
In an emotional statement, Huff Powell Bailey paid tribute to their colleague and friend:
“Josephine was a beloved member of our firm. She spent her summer with HPB in 2022 and joined us as an associate in 2023 after graduating with honors from Emory University School of Law.”
While at Emory, Josephine served as Editor-in-Chief of the Emory International Law Review and was named a David Bederman Fellow of International Law — a distinction recognizing exceptional commitment to global legal scholarship. She earned her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of the South, Sewanee, in 2019, where she majored in Environmental Sustainability.
Josephine’s contributions extended far beyond the legal field. She was a tireless advocate for others, serving as a volunteer with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, where she was appointed the firm’s AVLF liaison in 2024. She also gave her time generously to the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the Georgia Society of Healthcare Risk Managers.
“Josephine was a natural leader,” the firm added. “She was smart, beautifully quirky, and endlessly compassionate. She made us laugh out loud, brought people together, and always challenged us to think more deeply about how we could serve others. Her loss is immeasurable.”
The Huff Powell Bailey family joins the broader Atlanta community and the Hardin family in mourning the loss of two extraordinary lives. Josephine’s dedication, intellect, humor, and heart leave behind a powerful legacy that will never be forgotten.
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