Get to know Marie Barnes, one of the newest members of the Marin County Bar Association Board of Directors. The Marin Lawyer recently sat down with Marie to find out a little more about her practice and interests.

Describe your practice and do you have a particular emphasis?
Like many Marin County attorneys, I have my own practice in San Rafael, specializing in Criminal Defense and Family Law. I have represented defendants charged with DUI; theft offenses; domestic violence; assault & battery; sex offenses; property offenses; white collar crimes; and juvenile offenses. In the area of Family Law, I primarily focus on issues of domestic violence and how it affects either divorce or child custody. I have represented both sides in disputes involving domestic violence, representing both the aggressor and the victim(s).

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?
Since I was in high school I have known that I would become a lawyer. I wanted to become a lawyer to help people, especially those who do not have access to the courts for various reasons.

Why do you live in Marin?
My husband and I met in Marin and he is a San Rafael native and he always had great memories to share with me about his childhood growing up in Marin and we wanted that for our boys. We love what Marin has to offer and feel very fortunate to be in a county that has such outdoor beauty within minutes.

What do you love to do when you’re not busy practicing law?
When I'm not practicing law, I love traveling with my family. We load up our truck and hit the road.

Tell us about your family.
I am married and have two [Editor’s Note: adorable] sons ages five and two.

If you could pursue any other career besides law, what would it be and why?
If I could pursue any other career it would be in nursing, but pediatric nursing. I think the medical field is so rewarding and I love children and consider myself a nurturing person.

Why did you join MCBA?
Not being from Marin County, I quickly realized that Marin has a tightly knit legal community. So, I joined MCBA to get to know people and to get involved in the community I now live and work in. I am also a member of the Association of Latino Marin Attorneys (ALMA) as well as the Alameda County Bar Association.

Why did you become a Director?
I became a director because I wanted to make MCBA more accessible to attorneys new to Marin like myself and I really enjoy the programs and I want to be part of that.

If you had to pick a single highlight of your career, what would it be?
Working on a cold case murder that ultimately got dismissed.