Brigit Simms Barnes

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.