Otteson Shapiro announced Oct. 2 that Joel Harder has joined the firm as an attorney in its financial services and corporate practice.
Harder’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and business transactions. He advises financial institutions, corporations and other businesses on acquisitions, succession planning, governance and other transactional matters.
Before joining Otteson Shapiro, Harder founded and led Capitol Culture, a civic leadership organization serving elected officials in Oklahoma. He is also the author of When Leaders Matter, a book about leadership. Harder previously served as a governor-appointed member of the Oklahoma State Board of Licensed Social Workers and has held roles in government, nonprofit and organizational leadership in Oklahoma and Washington, D.C.
“Joel’s experience as a trusted counselor to governors, members of Congress, other elected officials, business leaders and nonprofit executives gives him the ability to see both the legal dimensions of a matter and the broader business considerations that accompany important decisions,” said Christian Otteson, a partner and director of the firm’s financial services practice.
Harder earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he was a Sumners Scholar and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in corporate law. He also holds a master’s degree in social work from Baylor University and a doctorate in education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.