Walton J Barnes

Walton Barnes, II is an Attorney at Law, deeply rooted in the Baton Rouge community. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, his upbringing encompassed Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma before settling in Baton Rouge, eventually establishing a home in Greenwell Springs, now part of Central, Louisiana.

He is a graduate of Central High School, LSU, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, and the LSU School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. His dedication to legal excellence is reflected in his membership with the Sigma Pi Fraternity and the Edward Douglas White chapter of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

A Legacy of Legal Service

Mr. Barnes launched his legal career in Baton Rouge, subsequently expanding his practice with offices in Zachary, Louisiana. In recognition of the burgeoning community of Central, he relocated his firm, continuing to serve clients with his unwavering commitment to legal excellence. His legal expertise spans 36 parishes across Louisiana, demonstrating his profound understanding of the state's legal landscape. His advocacy has extended to appellate courts throughout the state, reaching even the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Mr. Barnes' legal prowess has also taken him beyond Louisiana's borders, representing clients in Arkansas, Florida, and Washington, D.C. as counsel pro hac vice. His extensive legal experience encompasses a broad range of practice areas, including contracts, business litigation, personal injury, criminal cases, family law, products liability, municipal and public law, successions, trusts, and probate law.

His dedication to service extends beyond private practice. From 1978 to 2003, Mr. Barnes served as the City Attorney for Zachary, Louisiana, diligently safeguarding the interests of the community. Presently, he holds the position of Administrative Hearing Officer for the City of Central, further demonstrating his commitment to public service.

A Passion for Legal Education

Beyond his courtroom achievements, Mr. Barnes is a respected legal educator. He has served as a faculty member for legal seminars, disseminating his knowledge to fellow legal professionals. His expertise has been sought after by esteemed institutions such as the Louisiana State Bar Association Family Law Section, Tulane and Southern Schools of Law, the Baton Rouge Bar Association, and the National Business Institute. His presentations have delved into critical legal topics such as custody, retirement law, professional ethics, insurance law, community property, and the division of retirement systems under ERISA.

Mr. Barnes' commitment to training future generations of legal practitioners is evident in his roles as a judge in Moot Court and other student trial and appellate competitions, offering valuable mentorship and guidance to aspiring lawyers. His expertise has also been instrumental in student exercises in negotiations at the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center, preparing students for the complexities of real-world legal practice.

He has authored updates in family law for the Louisiana Bar Journal, a publication of the Louisiana Bar Association, and contributed an article published in the Family Law Section of the American Bar Association publication, further solidifying his position as a thought leader in his field. Mr. Barnes' dedication to legal education also extended to teaching paralegal courses at a Baton Rouge-based paralegal college.

A Leader in the Legal Profession

Mr. Barnes' contributions to the legal field have earned him numerous accolades. He has been recognized in Who's Who, the American Registry of Outstanding Professionals, and received prestigious achievement awards from the Louisiana Trial Lawyers (now the Louisiana Association for Justice) for his dedicated service on the LTLA Board of Directors.

His commitment to the LSU Moot Court program and other organizations underscores his unwavering dedication to professional excellence and the advancement of the legal profession.

Beyond the Law

While passionate about law, Mr. Barnes finds fulfillment in a variety of personal pursuits. His love for animals is evident in his involvement with cattle raising and equine competition (team penning and sorting). He also shares his passion for horsemanship through giving riding lessons and supporting youth riding competitions. His expertise in this field has earned him certification as a master horseman by the LSU Agricultural Extension program.

Mr. Barnes' interests extend to the beauty of the natural world, enjoying camping and hiking in scenic locations such as Colorado, Arkansas, New Mexico, and the Grand Canyon. His intellectual curiosity is fueled by his keen interest in history, physical anthropology, American Belle Lettres, theology, and current events.

A dedicated community member, Mr. Barnes has served on the boards of directors for the City of Central Chamber of Commerce, the Central Food Bank, the Central Cultural Foundation, and was an active member of the former Central Rotary Club.