The Harmonie Group is a network of independent defense law firms throughout the US, Mexico, Europe, South America, and abroad and also provides access to legal defense services in Canada through its sister organization, the Canadian Litigation Counsel. Harmonie is a by invitation only network where the firms are subjected to a rigorous review process including detailed firm application submission, interviews, capability reviews, jury trial results over several years, ADR, motion practice, clients, and references, etc., to demonstrate the firm meets Harmonie’s standards, ethics and values before they are invited to join. The defense firms in the Harmonie network handle complex and difficult high stakes litigation for corporations, third party administrators and insurance companies. The Harmonie Group is pleased to provide on line access to firms/attorneys, practice areas, education information, legal compendiums, claims and litigation tools, and its 24 Hour Emergency Response Directory at www.harmonie.org.

The Harmonie Group announced that the organization’s long-time Executive Director, Tim Violet, is retiring effective June 30, 2023. Tim’s retirement will bring to a close a remarkable career of 22 years of service to Harmonie. Under Tim’s leadership, The Harmonie Group has expanded in the United States and internationally. Following a meeting in New York in 1992, over 30 years ago, the Group was started with a small handful of nine firms in the US. The Group had 31 firms at the time Tim joined in 2001. From this fledgling start, the Group now has member firms throughout the US, firms in Canada through its sister network the Canadian Litigation Counsel, firms in Europe through Harmonie Europe with firms across the continent, and a number of firms in Asia and Australia. Today, Harmonie has grown to over 100 firms around the world, and that growth continues. This past year Harmonie welcomed firms in France, Italy, and India. The Harmonie Group Board of Directors is grateful for Tim’s years of dedication and collaboration, which has helped the organization strengthen how its firms support each other as well as the education and networking Harmonie provides. Tim’s guidance and commitment have been invaluable and will be deeply missed. Tim stated, “I will greatly miss the friends I have made around the world. It truly has been a dream opportunity to work for the Group. With its strong standing and resources, I am confident Harmonie will continue its growth and influence.” The Harmonie Group will announce Tim’s successor shortly. The Selection Committee is pleased to report a successful search has been completed. With this selection, Harmonie is looking forward to its next phase of continued growth and success in the future.

For 22 years, beginning in 1976, worked for Hubbard Milling Company, a Minnesota-based agribusiness. Before its acquisition in 1997, Hubbard was the second largest manufacturer of private label pet food in the world and a major manufacturer of animal feeds throughout the “corn belt” states. As Vice President and General Counsel, Tim was responsible for Hubbard’s legal department and all administrative departments of the company. His responsibilities included managing litigation and acquisitions throughout the United States, selecting and supervising outside lawyers, setting litigation budgets, controlling legal expenses and indemnity costs, and achieving results consistent with corporate goals. Tim also managed the HR, IT, Payroll, Office Mgt., Flight Services, Audit, Insurance, Risk Management and Safety departments of the company. As a part of senior management, Tim was responsible for strategic planning, environmental compliance, governmental relations, auditing, human resources, payroll, engineering and capital expenditures, and flight operations. Tim worked on multiple mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and divestitures. He managed corporate deferred compensation fund investments, acted as the chief company representative/negotiator in labor/union relations, and served as the company media relations contact.