Barnett, Rebecca McClintock

Born in Cherry Point, North Carolina in 1960, Curtis Barnes was raised in a military family. His father, an officer in the Air Force, served in Korea and Vietnam. As a child, Curtis lived throughout the United States and Europe.  He attended boarding school in England and high school in Rota, Spain, where he graduated in 1977. Returning to the United States for college, Mr. Barnes attended San Diego State University, receiving his B.A. in political science with a minor in real estate in 1985. 

Curtis attended the University of San Diego School of Law, where he served as comments editor for the University of San Diego Law Review. During law school, Mr. Barnes published his article "Characterization of Post-Separation Credit Acquisitions," in the San Diego Law Review, Vol. 26, 1989.  He graduated cum laude with his Juris Doctorate in 1989.  Immediately following graduation, Curtis joined what was then the Law Offices of E. Robert Lemkin, Inc. He and Mr. Lemkin ultimately partnered in 1994, forming the Law Offices of Lemkin & Barnes, Inc.

In 1996, upon the death of Mr. Lemkin, Curtis Barnes took over the law firm, retaining the name Lemkin & Barnes, Inc., in honor of Mr. Lemkin. 

Curtis received his certification as a specialist in Family Law in 2001. In 2004, he partnered with fellow CFLS Cheryl Anne Row and the firm became known as Lemkin, Barnes & Row, Inc. The firm limits its practice to family law, offering aggressive, knowledgeable, and accessible representation to its clients.

Curtis Barnes is a member of the State Bar of California, Family Law Section, a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and a member of the Orange County Bar Association. He is an active Member of the University of San Diego Alumni Association, Orange County Chapter.

Curtis Barnes also serves on a panel for the Orange County Bar, attorney fee arbitration committee. He is a board member of I'Padrini di Antonello, a local philanthropic men's group, and belongs to the Banyard Inns of Court, a prestigious legal networking group. Mr. Barnes regularly meets with a group of varied legal professionals to discuss current events and exchange legal advice. He also volunteers monthly with Laura's House, a non-profit group which provides legal advice and assistance to those who have suffered the effects of domestic violence.

Curtis lives in Ladera Ranch with his wife and their four children. He enjoys sailing and deep sea fishing, and has recently taken up horseback riding at an equestrian center in San Juan Capistrano.