Prior to graduating from law school, I spent ten years working in the real estate and title insurance industry. From 1975 to 1985, I was employed in the title insurance industry by Transamerica Title Insurance Company, Ticor Title Insurance Company, Pioneer Title Company and Empire Title Company. During my employment with these companies, I held various positions, including Residential and Commercial Escrow Officer, Manager of the Subdivision Department, Trustee Sales Officer and County Escrow Auditor. Between 1978 and 1981, I was licensed as an agent and broker, as well as a residential and commercial appraiser by the State of Oregon.
I obtained my Bachelor of Science cum laude in Political Science from the University of Santa Clara in 1973. In 1985, I graduated with distinction from McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. While studying at McGeorge, I received various scholarships and awards, including the American Jurisprudence Awards for Agency, Business Associations and Contracts, and the Corpus Juris Secundum Award for significant legal scholarship. In 1996, I was voted "Member of the Year" by Commercial Women in Real Estate, Sacramento Chapter (CREW Sacramento) for my contributions to education and commercial real estate professionals.
I counsel my clients on relevant aspects of liability avoidance, land use,
entitlement and property rights issues, and regularly conduct seminars and publish educational materials for my title insurance, real estate broker and developer clients. I have developed and teach a three-hour seminar on land use and environmental issues, and impacts of inclusionary housing on modern development projects, both sponsored by CREW Sacramento.
I've also provided articles to Comstocks' Magazine on the adverse impact of conflicting environmental restrictions on business and development in northern California. I have published articles on recent Water Resource Control Board changes in wetlands policy for Northern Builder's Magazine. I've served as one of California Building Industry Association’s (CBIA’s) representatives to Governor Wilson's Wetlands Consensus, an advisory body, drafting proposed wetlands and watershed management legislation for California. I also assist in drafting remediation legislation on California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), California Endangered Species Act (CESA), and regulatory abuse issues for California Business Properties Association.
I have been married forever to Jerry Barnes and we have two children, mostly grown, and seven grandchildren.
Practice areas
Commercial real estate litigation.
Land use and development litigation.
Estate and trust litigation.
General business development.
Languages spoken
English
3262 Penryn Rd #200
Loomis, CA, 95650
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 1986 | 06/18/2022 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2016 |
Member | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
Member of the Year | Commercial Women in Real Estate - Sacramento | 1996 |
Corpus Juris Secundum | McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific | 1985 |
American Jurisprudence Award for Agency | McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific | 1985 |
American Jurisprudence Award for Business Associations | McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific | 1985 |
American Jurisprudence Award for Contracts | McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific | 1985 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Owner | Brigit Barnes & Associates, Inc. | 1993 - Present |
Land Use Counsel | City of Colfax | 2009 - 2014 |
Partner | Balfrey & Abbott | 1989 - 1992 |
Associate | Balfrey & Abbott | 1985 - 1988 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
California Business Properties Association | Member | 1993 - Present |
California Builders Association | Select Conference on Industry Litigation | 1990 - Present |
Loomis Chamber of Commerce | Member | N/A |
Sacramento County Bar Association, Real Property Section | Member | N/A |
El Dorado County and Placer Builders Council | Member | N/A |
Placer County CABPRO | Chair | 1996 - 2006 |
Placer County CABPRO | Member | 1996 - 2014 |
Commercial Real Estate Women | Chair | 1994 - 2000 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Land Blog by Barnes | Alert: Estate Planning for "Problem Beneficiaries" | 2014 |
Land Blog by Barnes | Roseville Scores with New Sports & Tourism Complex | 2014 |
The Auburn Journal | Noise, tree cutting from PG&E Meadow Vista Canal Work Disturbs Resident | 2013 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Thoughts on Transfers in Troubled Times | 2011 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Realtor Disclosures re: Shortsales: The Never-Ending Story | 2011 |
Land Law by Barnes | Expanded Disclosures for Hard-Money Deals | 2011 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Broker's Commissions | 2010 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | What Quantum Meruit Means in Commission or Real Property Services Disputes | 2010 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | City of Colfax's Sewer Lateral Ordinance Enforcement | 2010 |
Land Law by Barnes | Placer County Conservation Debate Memorandum | 2007 |
Land Law by Barnes | EPA Loses on Clean Air Act Regulation Enforcement | 1999 |
Land Law by Barnes | California Streamlines Endangered Species Restrictions | 1998 |
Land Law by Barnes | Federal Appeals Courts Strike Blow for Common Sense | 1998 |
Land Law by Barnes | California Supreme Court Recognizes a Partial Taking | 1997 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific | JD - Juris Doctor | 1985 |
Santa Clara University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1973 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Auburn Foothill Forum | Prohibition of Deficiency Claim Following Short Sale | 2012 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Current Trends re: Foreclosure Forbearance Cases | 2011 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Nonrefundable Deposit Deemed Invalid; 1031 Exchange Alert | 2009 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Energy Consumption Benchmarking Disclosure for Nonresidential Buildings | 2009 |
Auburn Foothill Forum | Effect of Perata Foreclosure Bill [SB 1137] on REO Sales | 2009 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Morgan v. Browning | Settled. |
Murray v. City of Sacramento | Successful suit. |
Kaehler v. City of Lodi, San Joaquin LAFCO, and FF, L.P. | Pending. |
Kent v. Perez | Successful recovery. |
Lee v. Martel | Successful determination. |
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October 6, 2014
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October 6, 2014
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October 3, 2014
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October 3, 2014
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September 16, 2014
Posted by Dick
September 16, 2014
Kelly Smith, Land use and zoning Attorney on Oct 22, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Brigit is especially knowledgeable about the regulatory environment of land use, including CEQA. I have found her counsel in these areas very valuable.
Michael Brady, Litigation Attorney on Oct 3, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have been on the opposite side of cases handled by Brigit as well as co-counsel with her on other cases. In all circumstances she handled herself, and the case, with passion and professionalism. She is always willing to dig deep in order to provide her client with the best representation possible.
Michael Hackard, Land use and zoning Attorney on Sep 16, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She has terrific experience in her field and her clients respect her energy, intelligence and commitment to them.