Atty. Michael Wayne Barnes

Atty. Michael Wayne Barnes

Michael Wayne Barnes is a lawyer practicing construction law, entertainment, business law and 7 other areas of law. Michael received a A.B. degree from University of California at Berkeley in 1987, and has been licensed for 40 years.

Santa Monica Santa Monica 40 yrs experience 40 year
Call (424) 317-3066 Book Appointment

Business Law & More Attorney · Serving Santa Monica, CA · 40+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Michael Wayne Barnes at a Glance

Michael Wayne Barnes is a Carollo Engrs. based in Santa Monica, California. They have 40+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1986. Their practice focuses on contracts, business, real estate, ip, and commercial re. Admitted to practice in California U.S. District Court, Northern District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Cir (1986), Arizona (1987), U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California (1996), and U.S. District Court, District of Colorado (2000). Educated at Golden Gate University (J.D., 1991) and University of California at Berkeley (A.B., 1987). Serves clients in Santa Monica, CA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated October 2026

About Michael Wayne Barnes

  • Michael Wayne Barnes is a lawyer practicing construction law, entertainment, business law and 7 other areas of law
  • Michael received a A.B. degree from University of California at Berkeley in 1987, and has been licensed for 40 years
  • Michael practices in Santa Monica, CA

Practice Areas Explained

Michael Wayne Barnes's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael Wayne Barnes handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Santa Monica.

Contracts in Santa Monica

Michael Wayne Barnes is one of 76,101 contracts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse contracts attorneys in California →

Business & Corporate Law in Santa Monica

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Michael Wayne Barnes is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in California →

Real Estate Law in Santa Monica

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Michael Wayne Barnes is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in California →

Intellectual Property in Santa Monica

IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.

Michael Wayne Barnes is one of 105,285 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in California →

Commercial Real Estate in Santa Monica

Michael Wayne Barnes is one of 15,821 commercial re attorneys indexed nationally. Browse commercial re attorneys in California →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Santa Monica

Practicing law in California. Legal matters in California are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Santa Monica are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate California state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in California brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in California courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Santa Monica Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Santa Monica-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional California attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Santa Monica or all attorneys in California.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Michael Wayne Barnes

Where is Michael Wayne Barnes's law office located?
Michael Wayne Barnes's law practice is located in Santa Monica, California. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael Wayne Barnes handle?
Michael Wayne Barnes focuses on contracts, business, real estate, ip, commercial re. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in California.
How long has Michael Wayne Barnes practiced law?
Michael Wayne Barnes has 40+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1986.
Where did Michael Wayne Barnes go to law school?
Michael Wayne Barnes earned their education at (J.D., 1991); (A.B., 1987).
How can I contact Michael Wayne Barnes for a consultation?
You can contact Michael Wayne Barnes directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Santa Monica Choose Michael Wayne Barnes

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael Wayne Barnes's practice in the field of contracts, business, real estate, ip, and commercial re.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Michael Wayne Barnes brings 40+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Multi-State Bar Admission

Licensed in California U.S. District Court, Northern District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Cir, Arizona, and U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Michael Wayne Barnes can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering contracts, business, and real estate, Michael Wayne Barnes can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Santa Monica

A Santa Monica-based practice means Michael Wayne Barnes attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Michael Wayne Barnes Handles in Santa Monica

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Michael Wayne Barnes has experience with under California law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business
Residential property transactions
Real Estate
Commercial lease disputes
Real Estate
Title and deed issues
Real Estate
Landlord-tenant conflicts
Real Estate
Trademark registration
IP
Copyright infringement defense
IP
Patent prosecution
IP
Trade secret protection
IP

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Michael Wayne Barnes directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Michael Wayne Barnes Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Santa Monica commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Michael Wayne Barnes.

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If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Michael Wayne Barnes directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Golden Gate University
- 1991
A.B.
University of California at Berkeley
- 1987

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

California U.S. District Court, Northern District of California and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Cir
Admitted: 1986
Arizona
Admitted: 1987
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California
Admitted: 1996
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
Admitted: 2000

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