About William M.
William M. Barnwell built his legal path from small-town roots to running his own practice. He earned a B.S. from Bethel University & Seminary in 2003 and later attended Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, where he completed his J.D. in 2015 after concentrating on litigation studies. Along the way he combined legal training with other commitments, including ordination through Missionary Church, Inc.
Barnwell launched Barnwell Law, PLLC in 2015 and has served as its owner and lead lawyer since. He joined the Michigan State Bar the same year and later added membership in the Florida State Bar in 2021. He also holds admission to practice before the Federal Circuit and the Eastern Federal District. Early in his career he joined the Macomb County Bar Association and the Criminal Defense Lawyers of Michigan, maintaining active membership in both organizations.
His work draws on trial skills developed in law school and refined in practice. Colleagues describe him as methodical and straightforward in court. He represents individuals in criminal matters and handles civil litigation that often involves contested hearings and courtroom appearances. He prepares cases for trial and argues motions in state and federal settings.
Outside the courtroom, Barnwell’s ordination informs another side of his work. He has served in roles that require pastoral care and public speaking, roles that overlap with client counseling and courtroom presence. He has kept those responsibilities separate from his legal practice, but they have shaped his approach to client communication and case management.
Membership in professional associations has been a steady part of his career. He has been listed with the Michigan State Bar since 2015, the Criminal Defense Lawyers of Michigan since 2016, and the Florida State Bar since 2021. Locally, he is involved with the Macomb County Bar Association. Those affiliations provide a forum for continuing education and peer interaction.
Barnwell’s practice today is conducted from Barnwell Law, PLLC. He represents clients in criminal defense and manages civil litigation matters that demand courtroom experience and careful preparation. He continues to accept cases in state and federal courts while maintaining his firm’s office operations and bar memberships.
