Mr. Barton's wide experience in practicing law makes him the ideal family attorney. While other lawyers attempt an assembly line approach to their practice and concentrate on one type of case, Gene is proficient in many aspects of the practicing of law. You may need an injury attorney now, but you also may need an attorney that can draft a will or advise you on estate planning. The same man that can handle your divorce can handle your life's many legal matters. Gene is not out for the type of case that is currently making money but believes in the family practice of law. The way attorneys used to be.
In fact, he has a particular interest in forensic psychology and psychiatry and how it relates to the law. In other words, he is interested in the people's emotional and human reactions in times of stress that occur when dealing with sensitive matters of the law. Not only that, but Gene's life experiences make him a unique advocate for those who experience life changing events.
Mission Statement of Law Practice:
To provide quality and superior legal assistance in service to all of our clients. To strive to improve our local community, state and country. When appropriate, to undertake and represent the poor and to take and accept controversial cases. Justice cries out for our help.
Background:
Son of the late Wade Barton and the late Nell Bishop Barton of Tupelo, Mississippi. Born May 30, 1954, moved to Tupelo in 1959 at age five, as the only child. Graduated from Baylor School in 1972. Attended the University of Mississippi and graduated in three years with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with minors in English and Political Science. Eventually went to the University of Mississippi Law School and obtained a Jurist Doctorate degree in 1977. Personally, a survivor from many tough experiences as a child: A near death experience as a young child in a horseback riding accident. Survived a tough military oriented high school. Tragic death of father in 1972 and mother in 2002. Personally experienced a hard fought custody battle over my daughter which went to the Supreme Court of Mississippi. Survived near fatal car wreck 1997 and many other personal life experienced.
Experience:
- Internship with Lee County Prosecuting Attorney 1977, special emphasis, Youth Court.
- Opened private law practice in Tupelo, Mississippi in January of 197 in the old Thomas Building. Continued to practice in Tupelo until 1996 when I relocated to Pontotoc. In 2006 I relocated entire practice to the City of Okolona for family reasons. Presently maintain offices in Okolona and Tupelo.
- Served as Youth Court prosecutor in the early 1980's for approximately two years. Served as City of Tupelo Criminal. Public Defender form 1981 until 1985.
- Served as City of Tupelo Member of the Elected City Board of Aldermen from 1985 and 1989. Elected as one of Tupelo 's youngest aldermen.
- Also, served as Justice Court Public Defender for several years in Pontotoc, Mississippi and as part time Public Defender on case by case basis when regular Public Defender had conflicts.
- Served for a number of years as the Commitment Lawyer in Pontotoc County doing commitments of mental, alcohol and drug cases.
- Also served in Lee County in the 1980's for a short period of time as a Special Youth Court Judge.
- Presently serving as the City Attorney/City Prosecutor for Okolona, Mississippi as of September of 2005.
Courts Admitted to Practice:
- All Courts in the State of Mississippi including the Appellate Court System and the Supreme Court of Mississippi.
- Federal Courts: U.S. District Court in Northern District of Mississippi, U.S. District Court in Southern District of Mississippi, U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Northern District of Mississippi, and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, and also the U.S. Supreme Court.
- Also, approved and authorized to practice in the Social Security System and the Federally Administrative Courts of Social Security System.
Particular Interest in the Law: Forensic psychology and psychiatry
Hobbies and Interests:
My Children and jogging; Creative Writing.
Memberships:
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Mississippi Prosecutors Association
- Member, Family Law Section of Mississippi Bar
- Attended Seminars Dealing with Alcoholism, and Mental Health Field.
Particular Experience:
- During career successfully defended a gentleman charged with aggravated assault. I am the only lawyer that I am aware of that has ever obtained a verdict from a jury using the insanity defense with a verdict of not-guilty by reasons of insanity. The defendant walked out of the Courtroom a free man.
- Experienced in the handling of death penalty cases particularly capital murder cases.
- Handled probably the first DNA used in a case in Northeast Mississippi in the 1990's when it first became available.
- Experienced in handling consumer litigation against financial institutions.
- Experienced in estate litigation including will contest. One went all the way to the State Supreme Court.
- Experienced in significant litigation in Bankruptcy Court including one case where I obtained an injunction against the Attorney General of the State of Alabama.
- Extensive experience handling D.U.I.'s dating back to 1977.
- Experienced in trying jury trials and personal injury cases with my last major victory being a $100,000 verdict against a casino in Tunica for a slip and fall case. It was later affirmed by the State Supreme Court.
- History of fighting for the rights of the injured, the mis-treated or the victim or individual person that have suffered injuries.
- Tried hundreds of jury trials over 31 yours.
- Handled thousands of criminal cases over 31 years as both defense attorney and prosecutor.
- Handled hundreds of Social Security Disability cases.
- Handled many personal injury cases relating form small personal injury cases to catastrophic injuries such a paralyzed clients.
- Experienced in medical mal-practice litigation.
- Extensive experience handling insurance litigation, motor vehicle litigation, general trail litigation.
- Extensive experience in criminal defense.
- Extensive experience in family law and divorce.
- Extensive experience in disability law. Experience in practice of Federal Court and Federal Civil and Criminal law practice.
- Experienced practice in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and familiar with the Bankruptcy Reform Act and routinely handle bankruptcies, both Chapter 7 and 13.
- Significant experience handling various appeals.
