Profile
Mr. Barrett has engaged in general civil trial practice since 1969. He has tried over 100 cases to judgment in Texas state and federal courts. He has been counsel of record in appellate cases in several Texas Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court of Texas, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and United States Supreme Court and presented oral arguments in over 30 appellate cases. Mr. Barrett’s primary areas of practice are the defense of medical malpractice litigation (hospital), representation of institutions of higher education, and eminent domain and other real property litigation, and defense of cities and other governmental entities and their employees.
Recognition
Recipient, The W.R. Meritorious Service Award (in recognition of noteworthy service to Baylor University), 1997
American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate
Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association, 1980
Affiliations
Civic & Professional
State Bar of Texas, Director, 1980-1983
State Bar of Texas, State Bar Executive Committee, Member, 1981-1982
Texas Young Lawyers Association, President, 1981-1982
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Vice-President, 1979-1980
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Secretary, 1978-1979
Texas Young Lawyers Association, Director, 1977-1978
Waco-McLennan County Young Lawyers Association, President, 1975-1976
Waco-McLennan County Bar Association, President, 1987-1988
Texas Association of Defense Counsel, Vice-President, 1988-1989, Director, 1976-1978
American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, Elected 1987, (Texas State Chair, 2000-2002)
American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
News & Insights
News
Speaking Engagements
Speaker; “Summary of Texas Legal Malpractice Law,” 23rd Annual General Practice Institute, Baylor University School of Law, 2000
Speaker and Author; “Lawyer Professional Liability,” 26th Annual Legal Conference, Texas Savings and Community Bankers Association and Independent Bankers Association of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, 2000
Speaker; “Final Argument,” The Judge Abner v. McCall American Inns of Court, Waco, Texas, 1999
Speaker; “Truth Really Matters,” Ethic Seminar Sponsored by The Tarrant County Bar Association, Fort Worth, Texas, 1999
Speaker and Author; “Walking the Walk,” Texas Lawyer Insurance Exchange Legal Malpractice Seminar, Waco, Texas, 1998
Speaker and Author; “Legal Malpractice: Avoiding It and Insuring Against It,” 19th Baylor General Practice Institute, Waco, Texas, 1996
Speaker and Author; “Professional Liability for the PI Lawyer, The Sword and The Shield,” 11th Annual Advanced Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas, 1995
Speaker; “New Attorney’s Guide to Legal Malpractice Insurance,” The Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism program at the Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas, 1995
Speaker and Co-Author; “Avoiding Malpractice in Litigation,” 7th Annual Baylor Litigation Institute, Waco, Texas, 1994
Speaker and Co-Author; “Lawyers Professional Liability,” 17th Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course, State Bar of Texas, Dallas and Houston, Texas, 1994
Speaker; “Sexual Discrimination and Harassment,” Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Workshop for Attorneys, Austin, Texas, 1994
Speaker; “Hospital and Nursing Home Liability,” 10th Annual Personal Injury Law Course, State Bar of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, 1994
Speaker and Co-Author; “Legal Malpractice Update,” State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, Fort Worth, Texas, 1993
Speaker and Co-Author; “Selected Topics Concerning Retaliation,” Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Wokshop for Attorneys, San Antonio, Texas, 1992
Speaker and Co-Author; “Recent Developments in Premises Liability Under the Texas Tort Claims Act – Ordinary Defects and Special Defects,” Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool Workshop for Attorneys, San Antonio, Texas, 1992
Publications
Note, Prenatal Injuries, 20 Baylor Law Review 140, 1968
Note, Hospital Liens, 20 Baylor Law Review 365, 1968
Comment, Procedures for Claiming and Priority of Mechanics’ and Materialman’s Liens in Texas, 21 Baylor Law Review 21, 1969
Comment, “Delinquent Child”: A Legal Term Without Meaning, 21 Baylor Law Review 352, 1969
Certifications & Specialties
Certifications & Specialties
Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1978
Personal Injury Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1978
Capabilities
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas, 1969
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Education
Baylor University School of Law, J.D., 1969
- cum laude
- Graduated First in Class
- Baylor Law Review, Editor-in-Chief
Baylor University, B.A. in Political Science and History, 1967
- magna cum laude
Hill Junior College, A.A., 1965
- Class Valedictorian