Barbara H. Hefner Gallo

Barbara H. Gallo, of Atlanta, died on January 1 at the age of 62. She is survived by her loving husband Thomas J. Gallo and her son, Geoffrey. She recently was predeceased by her daughter, Lauren. Barbara fought a long and courageous battle with infectious lung disease.

Barbara was an accomplished environmental lawyer, well-known and respected in the legal community. She repeatedly had been recognized by international publications such as Chambers as one of the leading environmental lawyers in Georgia. In 2013, Super Lawyers named her one of the Top Ten Lawyers in the state. Barbara handled permitting, compliance, and enforcement issues in all areas of environmental law. She advised on the development and implementation of sustainable practices, on legislative and rulemaking issues, and in corporate and real estate transactions. Barbara also engaged in civil and administrative environmental litigation.

From 1984 to 1996, she served in the Georgia Department of Law's Environmental Division, leaving as a Senior Assistant Attorney General. Barbara had been in private practice in Atlanta since 1996, most recently as a partner at Krevolin Horst LLC. She previously was partner at Nelson, Mullins, Riley and Scarborough. Barbara graduated from Georgia State University and received her law degree from Cumberland School of Law, magna cum laude, in 1981.

Giving back to the community was important to Barbara. She Chaired the Board of Directors for the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership, was the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for St. Jude's Recovery Center, the Corresponding Secretary for the Atlanta Beltline's Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Georgia Urban Forest Council.

Barbara and Tom were married and best friends for 39 years. They shared a love for their family, long-time friends, music, books, mediocre golf, and really good food and wine. Barbara was a vibrant, engaging, strong-willed and admirably opinionated woman. She had a beautiful smile and a quick wit, and she loved to share with others her discoveries of life’s pleasures. We will miss her greatly.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, January 14, at 2 o’clock at H. M. Patterson & Son ̶ Spring Hill, 1020 Spring Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30309. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude’s Recovery Center.

Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.