Edward

D.

Barnes

CEO/Shareholder



Family Law
Wills, Trusts & Estates

Biography

Edward D. Barnes is Founder of Barnes & Diehl, P.C., with a tradition of experience and devotion to Family Law. In 2008, he received the Virginia State Bar Family Law Section, Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Chicago). He is listed in Best Lawyers in America, and has been included, since inception as a Virginia Legal Elite as published by Virginia Business Magazine. He is in the top 10 of Lawyers in Virginia as published and named by Super Lawyers. Richmond Business Magazine named him "Top Family Lawyer in the City of Richmond and the Region" in 2001.

Honors

Ranked by Super Lawyers Magazine as "Number One" Lawyer among all Lawyers in Virginia (2018)
Hunter W. Martin Professionalism Award of the Richmond Bar Association (2022)
Inducted into the Inaugural Class of Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame (2018)
Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section (2008)
Fellow, The Trial Lawyer Honorary Society "The Litigation Counsel of America" (2014-2015)
President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Virginia Chapter (2011-2013)
Named Family Lawyer of the Year for Richmond by Best Lawyers in America (2009, 2015)
Chairman, The National Center for Family Law, University of Richmond School of Law (2006-2023)
Fellow, Virginia Law Foundation
Adjunct Faculty, Ethics in Family Law, University of Richmond School of Law
Chairman, Board of Governors, Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section (2004)
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (Chicago, IL)
Fellow, International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (London) (1995-2010)
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, University of Richmond School of Law (2006)
Voted “Leader In The Law”, Virginia Lawyers Weekly (2006)
Voted Super Lawyer, Top Family Lawyers in Virginia and Richmond Magazine (2006-2023)
Voted Super Lawyer Top 10 Lawyers (all categories) in Virginia, Richmond Magazine and Law & Politics (2017-2023)
Voted Super Lawyer, “Top 50” in Richmond
Included in Best Lawyers in America every year for over 25 years
Board of Managers, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Virginia Chapter (2001- 2004)
University of Richmond School of Law, Board of Directors
Virginia’s Legal Elite, Virginia Business Magazine (2006-2023)
President - Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Bar Association (1998-1999)
President - Metro Richmond Family Law Bar Association (1998-1999)
Chairman - The City of Richmond Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section (1978)
Member, MENSA Society
Member, International Society for Philosophical Enquiry
The Best Lawyers in America Family Law (2001-current)

Professional Associations

Chairman, The National Center for Family Law Studies (2008-Present)
Member, Family Law Section, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2006- Present)
Judge, National Trial Advocacy Competition, Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (2006)
Member, Richmond Bar Association
Member, Family Law Section - Virginia State Bar (2006-present)
Member, Family Law Section - Virginia Bar Association (2006-present)
Member, Law Practice Management Division - Virginia Bar Association (2006)
Leadership Patron, Virginia Bar Association Foundation (2005)
Past Chair, Board of Governors, Virginia State Bar, Family Law Section (2005)
Liaison from American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers to Supreme Court of Virginia Committee to implement a Virginia Family Court (2005)
Member, Regional Courts Guidelines Committee to set Guidelines for the Trial and Practice related to family law cases (2003-2004)
National Chairman - University of Richmond School of Law Fund- (1999-2002)
Lifetime Member, East Carolina University, Alumni Association
Virginia Bar Association Committee, Special Issues (2000)
Dean's Advisory Council - University of Richmond School of Law
Adjunct Faculty, University of Richmond Law School (1978-1979)(2012-2018)
Adjunct Facility, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lecturer - ECPI University
Frequent Speaker - Virginia Continuing Legal Education Seminars (Statewide) (for over 25 years)
Associate Editor, The Virginia Bar Association Journal (1975)

Published Works

"Virginia Law and Practice: A Handbook For Attorneys," (Chapter on Domestic Relations) Edward D. Barnes, Fellows of the Virginia Law Foundation (2014)
"The Spousal Support Case Every Family Law Practitioner Should Know: Is Gamble Dead?," Edward Barnes, Virginia Bar Association News Journal, Vol. 35, No.4, (Winter, 2009)
"Negotiating and Drafting Divorce Agreements," (2000-Current) (VACLE) (Author), Virginia CLE (2000)
"Figuring Good Time - The Post Conviction Process," 16 Univ. Rich. Law Review 505 (1982)
"Goldfarb: The End of Self-Regulation?," Virginia Bar Association Journal (October, 1975)
"Cruel and Unusual Punishment - Constitutionality of the Death Penalty," Ralph v. Warden, 5 Univ. Rich. Law Rev. 392 (1971)
"Civil Rights - Arrest Record as Basis for Job Denial Held Discriminatory," Gregory v. Litton Systems, Univ.Rich. L. Rev.
"Overcooked Boilerplate and Other Morsels: Practice Tips and Traps", Edward D. Barnes & Ann Brakke Campfield
"Use and Abuse of Expert Testimony in Custody and Visitation", Edward D. Barnes
"Virginia Lawyer - Comments On The Fifth Amendment And Its Use in Family Law" - Edward D. Barnes; Charles E. Powers (February, 2002)
Lawyers Weekly - Tax Traps

Representative Cases

Wright v. Wright, 0947-12-2, 2013, Va. Ct. App.
Lazarchic v. Lazarchic, Unpublished, 2005, Va. Ct. App.
Joynes v. Payne, 36 Va.App. 401, 551 S.E.2d. 10, 2001, Va. Ct. App., 2001730416
Reese v. Reese, Record No. 2564-00-2, 2001, Va. Ct. App.
Gifford v. Dunkum, 1996 Va.App. LEXIS 114, 1996, Va. Ct. App., 1996049506
McDavid v. McDavid, 451 S.E.2d 713, 1994, Va. Ct. App., 1994246556
Cottrell v. General Sys. Software Corp., 448 S.E.2d 421, 1994, Va. S.Ct., 1994187884
Goodwin v. Hare, 436 S.E.2d 605, 1993, Va. S.Ct., 1993211315
Westbrook v. Westbrook, 364 S.E.2d 523, 1988, Va. S.Ct., 1988011849
Howard v. Warden, 348 S.E.2d 211, 1986, Va. S.Ct., 1986145324
Cook v. Commonwealth, 309 S.E.2d 325, 1983, Va. S.Ct., 1983154782
Payne v. Warden of Powhatan Correctional Center, 285 S.E.2d 886, 1982, Va. S.Ct., 1982103030
Stamper v. Commonwealth, 257 S.E.2d 808, 1979, Va. S.Ct., 1979128192
Allied Products, Inc. v. Duesterdick, 232 S.E.2d 774, 1977, Va. S.Ct., 1977113711
Washington v. Commonwealth, 217 S.E.2d 815, 1975, Va. S.Ct., 1975131797

Classes & Seminars

"Advanced Family Law Seminar," Moderator, Virginia State Bar Association, Richmond & Norfolk, Virginia (2005-Present)
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Richmond, School of Law, "Ethics in Family Law" (2009)
"Update on the Law: Recent Cases for Annual Family Law Seminar," Author and Presenter, Montgomery County Bar Association (2005-2017)
"Update on the Law: Recent Cases," Author and Presenter, Virginia Continuing Legal Education (2002-2017)
"Successful Strategies for Your Custody Case," 22nd Annual Family Law Seminar, Virginia CLE (October, 2004)
"Question and Answer Session on Electronic Evidence Issues,'" Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar, Virginia CLE, Richmond, Virginia (2004)
Update on Family Law, Virginia State Bar, MCLE – Edward D. Barnes; Prepare Materials and Speak – (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) – Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke)
Speaker and Panelist for The 6th Annual Tax Conference for the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants – Edward D. Barnes; (October 17, 2005)
21st Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar – “Mind Your Ps and Qs: Property, Pensions, and QDROs” – Edward D. Barnes; (May 26, 2005)
21st Annual Advanced Family Law Seminar – “Practice Tips Regarding Retirement, Pension and Deferred Compensation – And Those Statutory Pitfalls” – Edward D. Barnes, Moderator and Presenter; (2005)
Negotiating And Drafting Marital Agreements – Edward D. Barnes; (Mar. 12, 2002) (VACLE) (Author)
"Use And Abuse Of Experts," Moderator, 18th Annual Family Law Seminar (1999)
"Wiretaps And Video As Evidence In Family Law Litigation," (1998)
Annual Bench Bar Conference – Edward D. Barnes, Moderator, (Oct. 21, 1999)
Professional Goodwill In Virginia, AA Comprehensive Analysis – Edward D. Barnes, Panelist, (1999)
Bench Bar Conference – Domestic Relations – Domestic Relations: From Dabblers To Experts-Common Traps For The Unwary And How To Avoid Them – Edward D. Barnes, Panelist
"Presentation and Trial - Virginia's New Statute on Rehabilitative Alimony: How to Present and Argue Your Case," Virginia CLE, Richmond and Tysons Corner (1998)
Avoiding Litigation In Matters Relating To The Relocation Of The Principal Residence Of A Child - Edward D. Barnes (2000)
"Going for the Gold: Locating and Using Winning Evidence," Moderator, 19th Annual Family Law Seminar, Virginia CLE (2000)
Annual Divorce Practice Seminar - "Avoiding Litigation On Child Custody Relocation Issues" - Edward D. Barnes, (Aug. 23, 2000)
"VTLA- Moving Ahead: the New Millennium- A Documents And Documentation Regarding Family Law," (1997)

Pro-Bono Activities

Chair, Church Council, Trinity United Methodist Church, (1998 – 2018)
Counsel and Member, Advisory Board of the Eye Bank Association of America, Houston, Texas (1976-1982)
Advisory Board Member and Attorney, Old Dominion Eye Bank (1975-1983)
Formal Counsel and Advisory Board Member, Virginia Head Injury Foundation, Richmond, Virginia
Counsel and Registered Agent, Tuckahoe Volunteer Rescue Squad, Henrico County, Virginia (1977-current)

Past Positions

Honorable Harry L. Carrico, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, Law Clerk (1971-1972)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seventh Army Command, Germany, 1st Lieutenant (1966-1969)
Seventh Army Command, Germany (1967-1969)
Leadership, Academic and Honor Graduate of the Army Corps of Engineers Officer Candidate School, Fort Belvoir (1967)

Education

University of Richmond, School of Law, Richmond, Virginia
- J.D. – 1972
- Dean’s Advisory Council
- 1870 Society
- The Robins Society
- The Charter Associates – The Founders Society
- The Gothic Society
- The Rectors Club
- The Spider Club
- The Judiciary Gift Society
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
- B.A. – 1966
- Honors: Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Officer, Fort Belvoir
- 1967
- Honors: Leadership, Academic and Honor Graduate

Bar Admissions

Virginia, 1971
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Virginia, 1972
U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1972
U.S. Supreme Court, 1974
Virginia Supreme Court, 1971