Born and raised in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, Mich., Barry Conybeare attended high school at Lake Michigan Catholic. He graduated from (and is a big fan of) the University of Michigan (B.A., 1988). Barry received his law degree, magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law (J.D., 1992).
After graduating from law school, Barry worked in Chicago as a commercial litigation associate with one of the world’s largest law firms, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. In 1994, after nearly two years with Skadden, Barry, and his wife Jody, moved home to Southwest Michigan. There he began practicing law with his father, Bruce Conybeare, at Conybeare Law Office.
Barry’s practice focuses on all aspects of personal injury law, including: auto collisions; medical, hospital and nursing home malpractice; product liability; insurance claims and most other injury cases. Best Lawyers in America© named Barry the 2013 and 2017 Lawyer of the Year for Plaintiffs Personal Injury in the Kalamazoo Region (Southwest Michigan).
Barry is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Michigan and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of both states. He is also admitted to practice in various federal courts, including the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan, Northern and Central Districts of Illinois and Northern District of Indiana.
Since 2008, Barry has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and since 2009 as a Michigan Super Lawyer. He has the highest peer-review rating of “AV” for professional ability and ethical standards by Martindale-Hubbell, a national directory of lawyers, and is recognized as a Leading Lawyer in Michigan. Barry is also a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates – Michigan Chapter.
He is active with the Michigan Association for Justice, serving on its board of directors since 2003. Barry also served consecutive 3-year terms on the State Bar of Michigan Character and Fitness Candidate Interview Committee for Southwest Michigan. Other professional affiliations include membership in the Berrien County Bar Association (2016-2017 President), State Bar of Michigan, American Association for Justice and Michigan Association for Justice.
Barry has spoken on a variety of topics to many groups of lawyers, including the Michigan Association for Justice, the Illinois and Indiana Trial Lawyers Associations and the Michigan Defense Trial Lawyer Association. He co-authored a chapter on personal injury claims in “The Effective Associate Training and Development Program,” a publication of the American Bar Association Committee on Continuing Legal Education.
Barry is active in political, civic and community affairs. Previously, he has been on the St. Joseph Public Schools Foundation Fund Development Committee, the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of Southwest Michigan, Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance, Curious Kids’ Museum, Lake Michigan College Foundation and Point O’ Woods Golf & Country Club. Barry has served as a Trustee on the St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Education since 2016 and is currently the Board President.
When not in the office, Barry enjoys spending time with his wife Jody, and their four children. An avid golfer, he served as the 5-term president of the board of directors of the Point O’ Woods Golf & Country Club (2008-2013).
Practice areas
29 years
29 years
29 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
MI | Active And In Good Standing | 1995 | 05/11/2022 |
IL | Active And Authorized To Practice Law | 1992 | 03/03/2022 |
Legal answers | 5 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Lawyer of the Year Plaintiffs Personal Injury Kalamazoo Region | Best Lawyers in America | 2017 |
Lawyer of the Year Plaintiffs Personal Injury Kalamazoo Region | Best Lawyers in America | 2013 |
The Order of the Coif | 1992 | |
Top 1st Year Law Student in Con Law, Civ Pro and Legal Writing | Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing Company/ Bancroft-Whitney Company | 1989 |
AV Preeminent Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | N/A |
Best Lawyer Plaintiffs Personal Injury Kalamazoo Region | Best Lawyers in America | N/A |
Michigan Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | N/A |
Tier 1 Ranking Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation | US News Best Lawyers Best Law Firms | N/A |
Leading Lawyer Personal Injury Law | Leading Lawyers | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney-Owner | Conybeare Law Office P.C. | 1994 - Present |
Associate Attorney | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom | 1992 - 1994 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Board of Trial Advocates (Michigan Chapter) | Member | 2019 - Present |
St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Directors | President | 2019 - Present |
St. Joseph Public Schools Board of Directors | Trustee | 2016 - Present |
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2004 - Present |
American Association for Justice | Member | 2002 - Present |
Michigan Association for Justice | Member | 2001 - Present |
Michigan Association For Justice, Executive Board of Directors | Board Member | 2001 - Present |
Berrien County Bar Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
State Bar of Michigan | Member | 1994 - Present |
Berrien County Bar Association | President-Elect | 2015 - 2016 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
ABA Continuing Legal Education | Plaintiff's PI Chapter for The Effective Associate Training and Development Program | 2005 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
DePaul University College of Law | Juris Doctor Magna Cum Laude | 1992 |
University of Michigan | Bachelor of Arts | 1988 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Seminar in the Snow | $2 Million Cass County Verdict and Low-Cost Focus Groups | 2020 |
Michigan Defense Trial Counsel Telephonic Seminar | Michigan Auto Law - The McCormick Decision | 2010 |
Michigan Auto No Fault Institute | PIP Benefits for Non-Michigan Residents in Michigan Wrecks | 2010 |
Illinois Rights and Remedies Seminar | Michigan Auto No Fault Overview | 2010 |
Michigan Rapid Fire Seminar | Defaults - How to Use Them to your Advantage | 2008 |
Indiana Personal Injury Seminar | Overview of Michigan Personal Injury Law | 2008 |
Indiana Auto Seminar | Michigan Auto No Fault Overview | 2007 |
Michigan Trial Lawyers Association CD Materials | 10 Winning Closing Arguments | 2005 |
Michigan Auto No Fault Seminar | Economic Loss Claims in Mich Auto Cases | 2005 |
Michigan Auto No Fault Seminar | Proving Your Client's Injury Meets the No-Fault Threshold? | 2003 |
Michigan Rapid Fire Seminar | Exposing the Surveillance Defense -- Discovery of Videos and Reports | 2002 |
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January 14, 2022
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September 10, 2012
Noah Pines, Personal injury Attorney on May 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Barry is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney and is known for providing his clients with the results they desire.
Craig Romanzi, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 12, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Barry is a great advocate for his clients and gets fantastic results.
Noah Pines, Personal injury Attorney on May 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Barry is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney and is known for providing his clients with the results they desire.
Craig Romanzi, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 12, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Barry is a great advocate for his clients and gets fantastic results.
Paul Whiting, Personal injury Attorney on Feb 7, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Barry's law firm is the leading injury firm in the St. Joseph, MI area and they are known for providing excellent results on behalf of all their clients. I highly recommend Barry and his firm for your injury needs.
Chad Engelhardt, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 18, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Barry is one of Michigan's foremost personal injury attorneys. He is a talented lawyer and is able to lead his legal team to victory time and time again. He is skilled and knowledgable in the court room and commands respect in settlement negotiations.
Richard Morgan, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 14, 2010
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer's work. Our law firm regularly refers Michigan cases to Barry Conybeare. He is very knowledgeable and skillful in litigating personal injury cases of all types. Barry is thorough and thoughtful in his trial preparation. He is recognized as one of the outstanding attorneys in Michigan representing plaintiffs who have suffered harm as the result of the negligence of another. Our clients who he represents have all been very satisfied with the quality of Barry's legal work. I give him the highest praise I can to another attorney. Richard W. Morgan, Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, South Bend, Indiana