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Michael D. Barnes, Personal Injury Attorney in Little Rock, Arkansas

Over 38 years of legal practice · focused on Personal Injury and Product Liability

Little Rock, AR

Practicing personal injury in Little Rock since 1988.

38+
Years practicing
1
Bar admission

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Quick answer

Michael D. Barnes is an attorney based in Little Rock, ARKANSAS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. Michael has over 38 years of legal experience.

Based in
Little Rock, ARKANSAS
Experience
over 38 years
Known for
Personal Injury · Product Liability
  • Handles Personal Injury and Product Liability matters from Little Rock, ARKANSAS.
  • Over 38 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Little Rock) (2017).

About Michael D. Barnes: Michael D. Barnes is an attorney based in Little Rock, ARKANSAS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. Michael has over 38 years of legal experience.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Michael D. Barnes

Michael concentrates on personal injury and product liability. Each area below outlines the kind of case Michael handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Personal Injury cases in Little Rock, Arkansas

Michael takes personal injury matters in Little Rock, Arkansas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Product Liability cases in Little Rock, Arkansas

Michael takes product liability matters in Little Rock, Arkansas. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Michael D. Barnes — Over 38 years of Arkansas personal injury experience

Michael D. Barnes is an attorney based in Little Rock, ARKANSAS. The practice focuses on Personal Injury and Product Liability. Michael has over 38 years of legal experience.

Michael Barnes has been engaged in active trial practice for more than 25 years, with a focus on product liability, trucking and transportation, toxic torts, class actions and insurance defense. Barnes is the leader of Wright Lindsey Jennings' Trial Team.

Barnes’ more recent experience includes:

  • Counsel for an international oil and gas company in litigation resulting from a release of oil from an interstate pipeline.
  • Lead trial counsel in defense of chemical repackaging facility in individual, mass tort and class actions, brought by residents who claimed adverse effects following a massive explosion at the facility.
  • Lead trial counsel for major transportation companies in defense of tractor-trailer accident cases, including wrongful death and catastrophic injury.
  • Lead trial counsel for metal supplier in product liability litigation following nationwide recall of canned goods.
  • Lead counsel for supplier of window coverings in wrongful death action alleging product design defects.
  • Lead trial counsel for sports arena in premises liability litigation.
  • Lead counsel for oil refinery in personal injury and product liability litigation.
  • Lead counsel for several major insurance carriers in various types of insurance coverage disputes.
  • Lead counsel for oil/gas drilling equipment company in product liability and personal injury litigation.

    Before joining the firm, Barnes served as a deputy prosecuting attorney (1992-93) and as an officer in the United States Marine Corps (1988-91).

How Michael handles personal injury matters

Michael Barnes has been engaged in active trial practice for more than 25 years, with a focus on product liability, trucking and transportation, toxic torts, class actions and insurance defense. Barnes is the leader of Wright Lindsey Jennings' Trial Team. Barnes’ more recent experience includes: Counsel for an international oil and gas company in litigation resulting from a release of oil from an…

Who Michael represents

Michael reviews new inquiries case-by-case for personal injury and product liability matters in Little Rock and the surrounding Arkansas area.

Credentials

Michael D. Barnes's legal education and bar admissions

  • University of Arkansas

    J.D. · 1988

Jurisdictions

Michael's state bar admissions

  • Arkansas

    1988 · ACTIVE

Michael studied at J.D. in University of Arkansas.

Law school and academic background

Michael completed J.D. in University of Arkansas. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Michael runs in Arkansas is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Michael D. Barnes

Michael has received 5 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Little Rock)

    2017

  • Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (Little Rock) (2017). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability (2026).

Locations

Michael D. Barnes's office in Little Rock

Michael's primary office is at 200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2300, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

200 West Capitol Avenue, Suite 2300

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Michael D. Barnes

Michael has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

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Hiring guide

How to hire Michael D. Barnes — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new personal injury attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Michael usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Michael charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michael's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Michael will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a personal injury attorney in Little Rock, Arkansas

A short list to run through before you commit: How many personal injury matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Michael

Michael discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in personal injury practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every personal injury matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Michael confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Michael's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many personal injury practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Michael D. Barnes

  • How much does it cost to hire Michael for a personal injury case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Michael walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Michael offer a free consultation?

    Michael charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michael's office. Some personal injury attorneys offer free consults — check Michael's current terms during booking.

  • How long do personal injury cases in Arkansas typically take?

    Simple personal injury matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Michael gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Michael take my case if I'm outside Little Rock?

    Michael is licensed in Arkansas. Matters governed by Arkansas law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Michael will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Michael?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Michael will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Michael accepting new personal injury clients right now?

    Michael's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Personal Injury attorneys serving Little Rock, Fayetteville and Bentonville in Arkansas

Michael handles personal injury matters throughout Arkansas. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified personal injury attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Michael's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these personal injury attorneys in Little Rock handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.