Local lawyer offers representation, aid for nonprofits in Washington and abroad

Barnes — who today owns his own law firm – left the Washington area to attend Flagler College in St. Augustine, but after a particularly inspiring political science course he knew he wanted to return home.

“What really got me interested was a political science class where we had to read history from a liberal and conservative perspective. The two versions were so distinct, I really came to understand what politics is about,” he said. “It’s about interpretation and your view of the world. Everyone has the same goal, and it’s just the tactic we take to arrive at that goal.”

After earning a dual degree in political science and communications in 1996, Barnes headed back to the District to embark on what would become a classically Washington career, complete with campaign work, a political appointment and an overseas stint.

Barnes worked on the Bob Dole/Jack Kemp presidential campaign, earned a law degree from George Mason University, interned at several law firms and then accepted a political appointment at the Office of National Drug Policy, where he served as confidential counsel under President George Bush. He also took some time out from Washington to earn a master’s degree in international economic policy from La Universidad de Belgrano in Buenos Aires.

But it was during his time at a law internship that he decided to launch his own firm.

“[I had] internships where I was busier doing the work that no one else wanted to do,” Barnes said. “I knew I could make a difference working in a system where there are no roadblocks thrown for the sake of protecting someone’s interest. I knew I could do what’s right for my clients.”

He launched his firm, DCBA Law — named for his two favorite cities, Washington, D.C. and Buenos Aires — in 2004 and has found success because of his youth, not in spite of it.

“I think people see that I am energetic and entrepreneurial,” Barnes said. “I’m not sitting in an office on top of an Oriental rug. I’m out there meeting people and making connections.”

Barnes has hired three lawyers since he opened DCBA and opened a small office in Buenos Aires. Barnes’ youth has also led him to operate his firm differently from a traditional one, he said. For example, he takes on many nontraditional nonprofit clients who wouldn’t normally have access to legal representation.

“I want to do things differently in Washington to improve access to the legal system and to the public policy arena to those who wouldn’t normally have it,” he said. “So far I’m making progress in that goal.”

PERSONAL

» Date of Birth: March 26, 1974

» Hometown: Leesburg, Virginia

» Sports/hobbies: Swimming, alpine skiing, water skiing, going to the beach and traveling

» Transportation: Mercedes C-230

» Favorite restaurant: Rasika

» Computer: Desktop PC with a flat panel monitor

» Favorite clothier: Lacoste

» Vacation spot: Flic-en-Flac, Mauritius

» Role model: Abraham Lincoln

» Quote: “Remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:42

» Reading: Nonfiction spy books

» Worst fear: Witnessing suffering and death

BUSINESS

» Current job: Member Attorney, DCBA Law, PLLC

» Last job: Confidential Counsel, Office of National Drug Control Policy

» Number of e-mails a day: 60

» Number of voice mails a day: 10

» Essential Web site: www.freeconference.com

» Best perk: Telecommuting most Mondays and Fridays

» Gadgets: Cingular 8125

» Education/credentials: J.D., George Mason University School of Law; Master’s in International Economic Policy, Universidad de Belgrano (Buenos Aires, Argentina); B.A. summa cum laude, Flagler College

» Last conference: Technologies and Strategies to Help the People of Africa (Palermo, Italy)

» First job: Lifeguard

» Original aspiration: TV news reporter

» Compensation: Whatever is left over after everyone else is paid

» Career objective: Full-time philanthropist

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