James Barney, a lawyer, former-federal law clerk, Professor of Legal Studies, and a holder of Ph.D. in History, founded The Barney Center in 2014. In addition to blogging on various topics, The Barney Center seeks to address perceived deficiencies in the existing continuing legal education (“CLE”) and legal education marketplace.

In addition to providing newly-admitted and experienced attorneys with an opportunity to earn their required CLE hours via live seminars, telephonic conferences, and webinars, The Barney Center aims to provide attorneys with an entertaining, informative, and inexpensive CLE alternative.

Furthermore, The Barney Center believes that attendance at CLE seminars should not be a burdensome or boring task. Instead, The Barney Center believes that attendance at CLE seminars provides attendees with a wonderful opportunity to learn, network and meet other young lawyers, law students, and other professionals in relaxed, small settings. To achieve these goals, The Barney Center carefully screens its speakers and is committed to hosting live seminars of no more than 50 attendees. Because The Barney Center is committed to an interdisciplinary approach, many of the CLE seminars will examine the relationship between business, history, law, and politics. The Barney Center also will host a yearly “Ripped from the Headlines” seminar each December which will examine the legal cases and topics which dominated news cycle during the year. Additionally, The Barney Center will host an annual “Vacation CLE” seminar in a holiday destination so that lawyers can fulfill their CLE obligations and take some much needed rest and relaxation with friends and family. Rather than maximizing profits, The Barney Center pledges to donate a percentage of all profits to 501(c)(3) charities.

In addition to conducting CLE seminars, telephonic conferences, and webinars, The Barney Center will also provide a host of services to aspiring law students. Starting in 2025, The Barney Center will host a week long pre-law boot camp to provide college students with an opportunity to experience law school prior to making the decision to go to law school.