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Brigit Simms Barnes

Commercial real estate Attorney at Loomis, CA

5.0   6 reviews
  • Licensed for 37 years
    State CA
    Acquired 1986
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Brigit

Learn Brigit’s areas of practice.

4
Practice areas
  1. Commercial real estate
    35%
    Commercial real estate litigation.

  2. Land use and zoning
    30%
    Land use and development litigation.

  3. Estate planning
    20%
    Estate and trust litigation.

  4. Business
    15%
    General business development.

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.

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Contact Brigit

Brigit Simms Barnes
3262 Penryn Rd #200
Loomis, CA, 95650

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  6 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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4 Star
 
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3 Star
 
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Posted by George | October 6, 2014
Very Pleased
I was very pleased with Brigit Barnes’ efforts. The City, tonight, went ahead and approved their ordinance deleting the ‘MP’ zone and re-designated my community as R-1,6000. Before doing so Brigit made sure that all our entitlements were preserved and memorialized. We may be the first (and maybe the only) such community to be re-zoned but at least I’m comfortable with the outcome…I would not hesitate to recommend Brigit Barnes, Esq.for any land use issues.
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Posted by Michael | October 6, 2014
Highly Recommended
It has been an absolute pleasure working on projects with Brigit. With experience of working with over 30 land use attorneys in my 20-year career, Brigit has demonstrated an exceptional knowledge base of land use and entitlement law. She adds tremendous value to projects and possesses the leadership necessary to bring projects to fruition, while protecting the interest of her clientele. I highly recommend Brigit for any type of land development project with the highest respect and admiration.
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Posted by Ralph | October 3, 2014
A big thank you!
A big day for us for sure. I again want to thank you for all your hard work over the last ten years, especially this last one. As it turns out, your decision to file a lawsuit against all parties, I think, was the kicker that finally forced settlement. It was a great decision!
Posted by Peter | October 3, 2014
A Great Job
I have to say you did a great job on this. The threat of litigation and the facts being on your side matter, but they do not always prevail if one is passive. Actually filing suit when all else fails is sometimes necessary. To do it in a big way against formidable opposition takes courage. You put your client first and took on everyone by putting the facts out there.
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Posted by Wesley | September 16, 2014
The Best of the Best
Ms. Barnes represented me in a very difficult Real Estate matter. Throughout the course of the four year battle she gave solid advice that enabled me to move through the legal system with the least amount of damage personally and professionally. The case settled to my great satisfaction thanks to her tenacious character and ability to negotiate with opposing council. I would Recommend Ms. Barnes to family, friends or anyone who wants knowledgeable and straightforward representation.
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Posted by Dick | September 16, 2014
An exceptional land use attorney
Brigit is a great land use and commercial real estate attorney. She's honest, she's got integrity, and she's extremely bright. She is very thorough and really digs into a project to find out all the key details. I've got businesses all over California and have dealt with dozens of attorneys, but I can say with Brigit I've prevailed every time. She's exceptional.
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Cost

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Contact for Details

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.2 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • 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
View all work experience

Education

  • McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 1985
  • Santa Clara University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 1973

Legal Cases

  • Morgan v. Browning
  • Settled.
  • Murray v. City of Sacramento
  • Successful suit.
  • Kaehler v. City of Lodi, San Joaquin LAFCO, and FF, L.P.
  • Pending.
View all legal cases

Associations

  • 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
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • 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
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Attorney endorsements

Received (3)
Given (0)
Endorse Brigit
Land use and zoning Attorney | Oct 22
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."
Litigation Attorney | Oct 03
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."
Land use and zoning Attorney | Sep 16
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."
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Avvo Contributions

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Loomis Commercial real estate Lawyer Brigit Simms Barnes
Brigit Simms Barnes
Commercial real estate Attorney
Loomis, CA
Licensed for 37 years