Derry D. Harding
PRIMARY AREA OF PRACTICE:
For many years a major part of the law practice of Derry D. Harding has centered around agriculture law, and in particular with that phase of agriculture law pertaining to federal farm programs enacted by the U.S. Congress. His work in that area of law has led to frequent communications with governmental officials at local, state and national levels who are charged with implementing and enforcing the basic laws, rules and regulations which govern such farm programs. His representation of those engaged in farming and whose operations are subject to such federal laws end mandates has included: (1) performing careful analyses of existing farm operating structures lot individuals, partnerships and entities of various kinds, and where needed, making modifications to bring such operations into compliance, (2) creating new structures for farming operations to enhance potential benefits available to the operation, (3) representation of operations called upon by, Farm Service Agency for an End of Year Review (comprehensive audit) of such operations, (4) engaging in administrative appeals at local, state and national levels to challenge governmental, determinations calling, in many instances, for farm operators to forfeit or repay to the government very substantial sums of money, (5) the preparation of detailed paperwork to document his work in each of the foregoing areas for the benefit of his clients, and when appropriate, for the purpose of presenting his client's data to governmental agencies, and finally, (6) general consultations with farm operators to seek to maintain their farming structures in compliance with mandates which are applicable to them.
Bar Admissions
- Texas, 1961
Education
- Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas
- J.D. - 1961
- Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
- B.A. - 1958
Representative Clients
- Frenship Independent School District
References
- First National Bank at Lubbock, Texas
- Texas Commerce Bank N.A., Lubbock, Texas
- American State Bank, Lubbock, Texas
Honors and Awards
- Commissioned as Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Military Intelligence, 1958
- Commissioned as First Lieutenant, U.S. Army JAGC, 1962
- Served as Chief of Legal Assistance Section, U.S. Army JAGC, Fourth Army Headquarters, Ft. Sam Houston, 1962-1963; Captain 1963
- Army Commendation Medal awarded by Secretary of the Army, 1963
- Designation as Outstanding Young Lawyer of Lubbock County, 1967 - 1968
- Admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
- President of Lubbock County Bar Association, 1975 - 1976
- Chairman, General Practice Section, State Bar of Texas, 1981 - 1982
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Lubbock County Bar Association, Past Director; Past Treasurer; Past President
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
- American Bar Association
Past Employment Positions
- U.S. Army, JAGC, Captain
- Harding, Bass, Fargason, Booth & St. Clair, Senior Partner
- Underwood Law Firm, Of Counsel
Fraternities/Sororities
- Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity







