Morin & Barkley LLP Attorneys at Law

James W. Barkley

Representative Experience

Mr. Barkley focuses a substantial portion of his practice on strategic counseling and risk management and complex litigation for clients in a number of industries including insurance, construction, and product manufacturing. He is frequently called on to solve his clients’ most challenging and high risk problems by finding solutions that are not readily apparent. He does this by listening to his clients and working closely with them to identify meaningful options that make sense in light of the clients’ current and long term needs. He has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution and also serves as a mediator.
 
Mr. Barkley’s complex litigation experience includes “front line” handling of cases from inception through trial. He also regularly provides management and oversight of cases in which he is not counsel of record. 
 
Beyond the coverage and other insurance-related litigation he handles, Mr. Barkley has worked extensively with insurers in the review and development of policy wording and drafting. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of insurance law since 2009.
 
Mr. Barkley works closely with his construction industry clients on contract negotiation and preparation, review and evaluation of insurance programs, and project management issues for private and public projects. Mr. Barkley has been recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers in the field of construction law since 2008. 
 
Mr. Barkley has counseled clients on matters in a number of jurisdictions across the country including North Carolina, Virginia, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, West Virginia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, California, and Texas.

Practice Focus

Education

  • George Washington University; Washington, DC
    • J.D., with Honors, 1989
    • Member of the George Washington Journal of International Law and Economics
  • University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill, North Carolina
    • B.A., Spanish, 1986
  • La Universidad de Sevilla; Seville, Spain 1984-1985

Bar Admissions

  • Virginia, 1993
  • District of Columbia, 1993
  • North Carolina, 1989

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Virginia State Bar
    • Construction Law and Public Contracts Section, Board of Governors, 2002-2008
  • The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
    • Board of Directors, 2002-2005
    • Policy Coverage Section, Chair, 2001-2002
  • Associated General Contractors of Virginia, Inc.
    • Legal Affairs Committee, 1999-2005
  • Defense Research Institute
  • North Carolina State Bar
  • District of Columbia

Publications and Presentations

  • Moderator, "In-House Roundtable:  Managing Construction Disputes, Containing Costs and Formulating Litigation Strategies," panel discussion presented at the National Construction Litigation Conference, February 29, 2012, Orlando, Florida.
  • “Policy Coverage – Construction Defects Coverage Roundtable,” presented to the Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys’ Spring Meeting, May 2010.
  • “Scheduling and Communication: Ten Rules to Follow on Every Project,” presented to Draper Aden Associates, June 2010.
  • “Allocation of Risk in Commercial Contracts,” presented at the Virginia Bar Association Corporate Counsel Fall Forum 2010, October 2010.
  • “Claim Exposé: The Devil’s in the Details” presented at the XL Insurance Design Professionals Risk Control Group, October 2010.
  • “Insurance Coverage for Construction Projects: Builders’ Risk and Errors and Omissions Professional Liability Coverage,” presented at the 31st Annual Construction and Public Contracts Law Seminar, November 2010.
  • Co-Author, Chapter 20, “Insurance Coverage for Owners, General Contractors, Subcontractors, Architects and Engineers,” in Virginia Construction Law Deskbook (2008).
  • Moderator, “The Perfect Storm: Practical Issues Raised in the Defense of a Complex Insurance Coverage Case,” panel discussion presented to The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, Annual Meeting, October 19, 2006, Williamsburg, Virginia.
  • Co-Author, Chapter 16, “Commercial General Liability Insurance,” in Virginia Insurance Law Deskbook (2002). 
James W. Barkley

James W. Barkley
Morin & Barkley LLP
455 Second Street, S.E., Suite 200
Post Office Box 240
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
E
P 434.293.1204
F 434.293.2135