About Daniel James
Daniel James Barnes earned his undergraduate degree in English at the University of the South, graduating in 2009. He stayed in Tennessee for law school and completed his J.D. at the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2012. Those formative years combined a study of language and the law that continues to shape how he approaches client work and courtroom matters.
Barnes began his legal career in 2012 as an associate lawyer at the Law Office of Bud Sharp. The role placed him on files early and often. He developed practical courtroom experience and handled pretrial work, drafting, and client counseling. In 2015 he moved to The Griffin Law Group and took on the title of senior associate. That change brought larger caseloads and greater responsibility on litigation matters.
Across those years Barnes has taken cases into Tennessee state courts and has handled matters before the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. He is admitted to practice in Tennessee and in the federal district court that covers much of the state. Those admissions allow him to represent clients at both the trial level and in federal proceedings.
Colleagues describe him as deliberate in preparation and direct in court. He favors clear written work over flourishes. That tendency traces back to his undergraduate training in English, which he cites as useful for drafting pleadings and briefs. He has worked on discovery-heavy files and has experience managing depositions, motions practice, and trial preparation.
At The Griffin Law Group, Barnes works out of the McMinnville office. His title of senior associate reflects his role on litigation teams and his involvement in mentoring junior attorneys. He has also taken responsibility for client contact and case strategy meetings. The practice environment there mixes individual file management with collaborative lawyering.
Outside of casework, Barnes maintains professional affiliations and participates in bar-related activities. He keeps an active presence in regional practice circles and attends continuing legal education to stay current on developments in Tennessee and federal procedure.
He remains based in Tennessee and continues to handle matters in both state and federal courts. He currently concentrates on representing clients in Tennessee state and federal court matters.
