Barnes, Edrick E.

Mr. Barker's practice covers a broad spectrum of real estate, employment and corporate matters. His clients are diverse in both size and industry, and include real estate developers, construction companies, biopharmaceutical companies, hotels and restaurants, manufacturers and non-profit organizations. He has significant experience with commercial, industrial and residential real estate transactional and litigation matters, including leasing, development, financing, boundary disputes, property tax appeals and construction lien issues. He also possesses a Michigan Real Estate Broker's license, affording clients a unique industry perspective to real estate matters. Mr. Barker counsels employers on workforce management issues, labor relations matters and litigation avoidance techniques. He also represents management in employment litigation and arbitration, including discrimination and wage-and-hour issues under both state and federal law, Family and Medical Leave issues, trade secret and non-compete matters and unfair labor practice claims.

Mr. Barker regularly appears before numerous courts and government agencies, including state and federal trial courts throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. He is a member of the Real Property Law, Labor and Employment Law and Litigation sections of the State Bar of Michigan, Washtenaw County Bar Association and the Toledo Bar Association. He is also a member of the Detroit Association of Realtors, serving on its education and public relations committees.

Mr. Barker is recognized in the 2008-2009 issue of Michigan Super Lawyers magazine as one of Michigan's "Rising Stars".

Mr. Barker frequently contributes to legal and real estate journals, including Michigan Real Property Review, a publication of the State Bar of Michigan's Real Property Law Section. He also authored a successful amicus curiae brief filed with the Michigan Supreme Court on behalf of the Real Property Law Section. Additionally, Mr. Barker regularly speaks before clients, attorneys, business and professional groups regarding real estate, employment and business matters in both Michigan and Northwest Ohio. He serves as faculty to the Council on Education in Management, National Business Institute and Lorman Education Services.

Among his volunteer positions with non-profit organizations, Mr. Barker serves on the Golightly Academy of Finance (Detroit Public Schools) Advisory Board, bar association committees that offer free legal clinics to the public, and is also a leader with the Cub Scouts.