Belinda S. Barnes

is a partner in the law firm of Gallagher, Gams, Tallan, Barnes & Littrell, L.L.P. where she practices in the areas of First and Third Party Insurance Defense and Commercial and Personal Lines of Insurance.

Areas of Practice

• Civil Litigation

• Closed Head Injuries / Traumatic Brain Injury Claims

• Insurance Claims Management

• Insurance Defense

• Wrongful Death

• Business Litigation

• Negligence Law

Bar Admissions

• Ohio, 1987

• U.S. District Courts Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio

Education

• The Ohio State University College of Law, Columbus, Ohio

  • J.D., with Honors – 1987

• The Ohio State University

  • B.S. summa cum laude – 1984

Representative Clients

• Lead counsel in hundreds of lawsuits filed in Common Pleas and Municipal Courts throughout Ohio as well as the U.S. District Courts, for the Southern and Northern Districts of Ohio

• Represent individuals and companies accused of negligence and/or intentional torts

• Assist clients in investigating and determining insurance coverage

• Defend individuals and companies against questionable debt collection practices

Classes/Seminars

• Jury Verdicts, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Civil Cases, 1998 – 2003

• Civil Jury Trials for Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, formerly BAR Briefs, 1998 – 2010

• Numerous articles for Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, including “Details on a Noble Calling” and “No More ‘Winning at Any Cost’ Elections”

Honors and Awards

• Earned Martindale-Hubbell “A-V” peer review designation (legal ability “Very High to Preeminent” and general ethical reputation “Very High”)

• Selected to Super Lawyers from 2007–present. Only 5% of the lawyers in the State of Ohio are selected based upon peer recognition and professional achievement

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Columbus Bar Association, Member, 1987 – Present

• Columbus Bar Association, Sustaining Member, 2000 – Present

• Columbus Bar Association, President, 2006 – 2007

• Columbus Bar Association, Board of Governors, 2000 – 2008

• Columbus Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee, 1995 – 1999

• Columbus Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee, 2008 – Present

• Columbus Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee Chairperson, 1996 – 1997

• Columbus Bar Association, Member, Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee, 1996 – Present

• Columbus Bar Association, Judicial Campaign Advertising Committee Chairperson, 2000 – 2001

• Columbus Bar Association, Member, Admissions Committee, 1998 – Present

• Columbus Bar Association, Member, Ad Hoc Subcommittee Evaluating Judiciary Committee Procedures, 1996 – 1999

• Columbus Bar Association, Member, Ad Hoc Subcommittee Screening Candidates for Judicial Appointment, 1998 – 2006

• Columbus Bar Association, Writer, Civil Jury Trials for Columbus Bar Lawyers Quarterly, 1998 – 2010

• Columbus Bar Foundation, 2000 – Present

• Columbus Bar Foundation Board, 2001- Present

• Columbus Bar Foundation Officer, 2016 – Present

• Ohio State Bar Association, Member, 1987 – Present

• Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors, 2010 – 2014

• Ohio State Bar Association, Judicial Campaign Advertising Monitoring Committee, 2002 – Present

• Ohio State Bar Association, Vice-Chair, 2002 – Present

• Ohio State Bar Association, Member, Council of Delegates, 2006 – Present

• Ohio State Bar Association, Chair, Council of Delegates Screening Committee, 2006 – 2007 and 2017 – 2018

• Ohio State Bar Foundation, 2013 – Present

• American Bar Association, Member, 1999 – 2009

• American Inns of Court, Chief Justice Moyer Inn, Member, 1993 – Present

• American Inns of Court, Chief Justice Moyer Inn, President, 2003 – 2005 and 2016 – Present

• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Member, 1995 – 2009

• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Member, 2001 – 2009

• Franklin County Women Lawyers, Member, 2003 – Present

• Ohio Women’s Bar Association, Member, 2004 – 2015

• Past Volunteer Mediator, Settlement Week

• Columbus Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (COACTA), Member, 1993 – 1995

• Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys (OACTA), Member, 1995 – Present

• Lawyer Advisor for Westerville North Mock Trial Program, 1992 – 1993

Pro Bono Activities

• Member, Central Ohio Families with Children from China (COFCC), 2003 – 2009

• Volunteer for Columbus Legal Aid, 2016 – Present