ERIC BARKER
Partner
Eric
Barker earned his B.A. degree at the University
of Florida in 1989, and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Florida in 1992.
He was admitted to the Florida Bar and also to the Federal Court, Middle District
of Florida, in 1992.
During his last year of law school, Mr. Barker was awarded a grant and worked
for The Center for Government Responsibility and Southern Legal Counsel. Additionally,
he simultaneously interned for the Office of the Public Defender where he began
his training to become a criminal defense trial attorney. Having a strong sense of
social justice and a calling to help others Mr. Barker chose to become an attorney.
His trial skills were apparent from the beginning and he was allowed to conduct jury
trials from the beginning of his internship. Mr. Barker was sought out by a prestigious
law firm in
Gainesville while still in law school and was hired. There he continued to develop his
criminal defense skills and also delved into appellate practice. He was offered jobs at
both Southern Legal Counsel and the law firm upon graduation. Mr. Barker decided to leave
the Gainesville area though and assist others in another manner.
Between 1993 and 1999 Mr. Barker elected to work at the Office of the Public
Defender, 9th Judicial Circuit, in Orlando, Florida. He thought it the best way to serve
those in need and to also gain invaluable trial experience. He worked his way up and became
Division Chief of the Felony Division 10. As such, he was responsible for overseeing the other
attorneys in that division, handling the major cases, and making case assignments. Eric
Barker also volunteered to be an organizer/leader of the Teen Court Program in Central
Florida during its inception in 1995. This new program presented a tremendous opportunity
both for students interested in learning about the legal system and other students
who found themselves accused of low level crimes. He worked closely with administrators
and participants in order to ensure that it was effective in teaching those who wanted to
learn and teaching responsibility to those who had been arrested.
In 1999, upon learning of Mr. Barker’s growing reputation in the
legal community, senior partner Mark NeJame recruited him to leave the public sector where he had
dedicated his service, and join an elite team of attorneys at this law office. After only
one year, Eric Barker became a partner of the Firm where he has been working
ever since.
Eric Barker had previously limited his legal practice
solely to criminal defense, including appeals and has conducted over 60 jury trials
ranging from simple misdemeanors to first degree murder. He has handled hundreds of
drug cases, including multiple trafficking, manufacturing, possession, delivery and
conspiracy cases. Whether filling motions to suppress or preparing for trial, Mr.
Barker is passionate about the right of his clients.
Mr. Barker has developed another important area of practice, which allows him
to continue his passion of helping others. Having multiple clients who have
faced major immigration issues, especially over the last several years,
Mr. Barker, along with being part of the Firm’s Criminal Law Division
is also a member of our Immigration Division team as well. Mr. Barker, a
tireless advocate, seeks solutions through compassionate and creative legal approaches in order to obtain
the best results for his clients.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS:
- Recipient of the Franklin Graham
Award, Outstanding Assistant Public Defender of the Year.
- Who’s Who in American Law 1998-present
-
Who’s Who in Emerging Leaders 2007
MEMBER:
- The Florida Bar
- Central Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- Florida Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Orange County Bar Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- Serves on Leadership Team, College Park United Methodist Church
PRACTICE AREAS:
- Criminal Law
- Immigration Law
