Stephen Joseph Harmelin

Stephen Harmelin has experience in corporate law, securities and financial transactions. He also represents various governmental and non-profit entities. In 2007 and 2008 he served as the Receiver ad litem appointed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to recover damages for investors in a $250 million hedge fund fraud. The $170 million recovery was the CFTC’s largest in history. Mr. Harmelin is engaged in various civic and charitable activities. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the Atlantic Legal Foundation, is Chairman of the Thomas Skelton Harrison Foundation, and is General Counsel of the National Constitution Center. In addition, he is a Trustee of the Barnes Foundation.

Professional & Community Activities

• Fellow, American Bar Association
• Council Member, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
• Board Member, The Barnes Foundation, currently
• Board Member, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, currently
• Board Member, Atlantic Legal Foundation, currently
• Chairman, Thomas Skelton Harrison Foundation, currently
• General Counsel of the National Constitution Center, currently
• Fellow, College of Physicians of Philadelphia, (2007)
• Founder, the Philadelphia Constitution Foundation, (2000)
• White House Aide (1964 – 1965)
• Special Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney (1970)
• In 2007 and 2008 he served as the Receiver ad litem appointed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to recover damages for investors in a $250 million hedge fund fraud
• Served by appointment of the Governor as a Commissioner on the Board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. This Authority developed and operates the $500 million Convention Center (1989 – 2002)
• Serves on the Board of Trustees of the Barnes Foundation and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia
• Chairman of the Thomas Skelton Harrison Foundation
• Served as Treasurer of the reelection campaign committees of Senator Arlen Specter
• Served a Three Year term as Chairman of the Board of a New York Stock Exchange-listed company
• Received a Certificate of Distinguished Service from the Director of FBI for his work with its agents to recover an original Bill of Rights manuscript which was missing for 138 years (2003)
• Was appointed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals Task Force on the selection of lead counsel in class action lawsuits (2001)
• General Counsel to the Pennsylvania Reapportionment Commission (1991 )

Professional Recognition

• Best Lawyers in Philadelphia® in Corporate Law, 2012
• Listed in the publication The Best Lawyers in America
• Philadelphia Bar Association Corporate Law Committee, Replansky Award, 2005
• Received a Certificate of Distinguished Service from the Director of the FBI, 2003

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