Barbara Pate

Barbara A. Pate Barbara A. Pate is a partner in the law firm of Davis & Harman LLP, concentrating on tax and benefits issues before the U.S. Congress and the federal executive branch agencies. From 1995 to 2005, Ms. Pate served as the Tax Counsel and Legislative Director to U.S. Representative Rob Portman (R-Ohio). During her tenure with Congressman Portman, Ms. Pate played a central role in the development and enactment of a series of bipartisan pension bills Representative Portman authored with U.S. Representative Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), including all major retirement bills enacted in recent years. In addition, she was the key advisor on tax matters to Representative Portman, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and House Republican Leadership. Ms. Pate served as Co-chairman Portman's congressional liaison to the Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service, and helped develop and enact landmark legislation increasing taxpayers' rights and ensuring IRS oversight and accountability. Prior to working with Representative Portman, Ms. Pate served as Tax Counsel, Legislative Director, and Chief of Staff to Representative J.J. Pickle (D-Texas) advising him 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. Ms. Pate served as Chairman Pickle's liaison to the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight. Ms. Pate 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. Ms. Pate 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. Ms. Pate is a member and former officer of the Texas State Society.