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Education:
Bachelor of Arts–Political Science Juris Doctorate |
| Practice Experience:
Barney began his career with Heyl Royster while he was still in law school by clerking with the firm during summer vacations. Following graduation, Barney worked in the Peoria office until 1987, when he opened the firm’s Edwardsville office. Raised in Walnut, Illinois, Barney became a partner at Heyl Royster in 1985. He is the Managing Partner of the Edwardsville, Illinois office. Practice Emphasis: Much of Barney’s practice is currently focused on the defense of toxic tort litigation and class action lawsuits on behalf of insurance companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies and auto manufacturers. He also continues to represent physicians and lawyers in professional negligence lawsuits. Barney has tried asbestos and products liability cases across the state of Illinois, including Cook County. He also represented State Farm in the trial of Avery v. State Farm, the replacement parts class action. Barney is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel, and the Defense Research Institute. He has served on various committees of those organizations. Barney is a frequent speaker on civil practice and class action topics for state and national organizations such as the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Defense Research Institute, and Lawyers for Civil Justice. He is also a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, and is a Vice Chair of the Class Action and Multidistrict Litigation Section. He currently serves on the Board of Visitors of the University of Illinois College of Law. Barney is a member of the Madison County, St. Clair County, Metropolitan St. Louis, Illinois State, and American Bar Associations. Listings: Best Lawyers in America; Leading Lawyers of Illinois; Best Lawyers in St. Louis; Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers Admitted to Practice: State Courts of Illinois |