Barry is one of the most respected criminal defense lawyers in Texas in both state and federal courts. He represents clients in all criminal matters from serious state offenses to complex federal fraud cases.

Because he has earned the high regard of the Dallas legal community, Barry was honored to serve as the 2011 President of the Dallas Bar Association and was the 2017-2019 President of the prestigious Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court. Still, he is best known for his career in the courtroom. After a spending a few years as a Dallas County felony prosecutor, the great majority of Barry’s career and successes have come as a criminal defense lawyer.  

Most of Barry’s clients are highly successful people: politicians, business executives, professional athletes, doctors, healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and law enforcement officials. He regularly represents friends and family members of lawyers and judges. He was asked by the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office to represent one of their assistant district attorneys in a contempt matter. From the first meeting with a client, Barry starts preparing a strategy for trial, for maintaining his client’s reputation and future in the community, and for managing publicity if the case has been addressed in the public forum.

Barry often works with civil law firms who have clients with collateral criminal issues, and he is an expert on crisis management as well as the 5th amendment issues that often arise in civil cases where criminal acts have been alleged.

Whenever Barry takes a case, he brings a seasoned group of investigators, appellate specialists, and experts. Through his years of practice, Barry has learned that complex matters where life and freedom hang in the balance demand a team approach. He is very comfortable leading a team of experts through the difficult process of investigation, preparation, and trial. Preparation is the key to any litigation success, and for that reason “Victory loves preparation” is a mantra in the office.

Barry believes that whether a case is resolved by agreement, in front of a judge, or in front of a jury, proven trial lawyers get the best results for their clients. Though many of his best outcomes for clients are the cases where he has prevented a case from being filed by law enforcement or indicted by a grand jury, Barry earned his reputation from his excellent results in the courtroom.  He is one of the elite trial lawyers in this state. Barry’s trial skills extend to both federal and state courts. He has won acquittals for his clients on charges as serious as complex federal fraud cases and first degree murder. He is one of a handful of criminal defense attorneys who has obtained a jury verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.

Barry is listed in Best Lawyers in America for criminal defense and was selected Top Criminal Defense Attorney in Dallas for 2011. Texas Monthly magazine named him one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in Texas,” and he has been voted by his peers as a D Magazine Best Criminal Defense Attorney every year since 2003. In 2021, he received the D Magazine “Legend Award” for being voted by his peers as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Dallas for 15 years in a row. He was one of four Dallas attorneys invited to participate in the Dallas Bar Association’s Learn from the Masters trial demonstration in front of an audience of hundreds of lawyers. 

Through his regular commentary for local and national news outlets, Barry has earned a reputation as a skillful expert and legal analyst in criminal cases. He has appeared on CNN, FoxNews, MSNBC, CourtTV and most local DFW news stations as a legal expert.

Barry has served on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas Federal Court Advisory Committee 2009-2016.  In 2013, he was one of five attorneys appointed by the Chief Judge of the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to the committee to recommend a new Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas. He is on the board of trustees of the Center for American and International Law. In 2018, the Center for American and International Law created the “Sorrels Award” for dedication, leadership, and guidance. Barry earned the award in 2018, and the honor of being the award’s namesake, by founding CAIL’s acclaimed Criminal Defense Trial Skills & Trial Law Program, which he chaired for 14 years.

Representative Cases

• Represented employee accused of theft of trade secrets in a jury trial. RESULT: Not guilty verdict

• Represented a Fortune 500 executive who was arrested abroad with respect to American federal law and advising foreign counsel. RESULT: No charges in either country

• Represented a statewide dental practice investigated by Texas Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. RESULT: No charges

• Represented a businessman who was charged with failure to stop and render aid where pedestrian died as a result of the accident and prosecution offered prison time. RESULT: Jury trial, probation

• Represented doctor charged with three counts of domestic violence arising from incidents which occurred in view of three police officers. RESULT: Jury trial, not guilty

• Represented doctor’s son investigated for and accused of sexual assault alleged to have occurred eight years earlier at a party. RESULT: No-billed by grand jury

• Represented prosecutor in a contempt matter. RESULT: Dismissed, not filed

• Represented elected official accused of tax evasion. RESULT: 6 months house arrest

• Current federal representation includes representing companies in corporate fraud investigations and representing individuals from elected officials to accountants and executives against investigations and prosecutions across the nation for offenses including Health Care Fraud, Anti-Kickback Violations, Tax Fraud, Wire Fraud, Bank Fraud, and Securities Fraud.

Honors and Awards

• Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Criminal Law, 1983-present

• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, 2003-present

• Center for American and International Law, Sorrels Award, 2018

• D Magazine, Legend Award

• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, Top 100 Texas, 2009-2010

• Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, Top 100 Dallas/Fort Worth, 2009-2010

• Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Criminal Law, 2001-present

• Best Lawyers in Dallas, D Magazine, Criminal Defense, 2003-present

Associations

• Center for American and International Law, Trustee, 2006-present

• Dallas Bar Association, President 2011

• Dallas Bar Foundation

• Patrick E. Higginbotham Inn of Court, Master, 2003-present; President 2017-2019

• Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Bar Admissions

• State of Texas

Court Admissions

• U.S. District Court of Texas

  • Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern Districts

• U.S. District Court of Arkansas

  • Eastern and Western Districts

Education

• SMU Dedman School of Law, J.D.

• Columbia University, B.A.