Jay Barnes
Mr. Barnes is the owner and president of Barnes Disability Advocates. Prior to joining the firm he was a partner at Myler Disability, one of the largest Social Security disability firms in the country.
Mr. Barnes was born and raised in Utah County, primarily American Fork. He moved with his wife and four children to St. George in December of 2009 after purchasing the firm Dabney & Dabney. He is the oldest of 6 siblings, all of whom still live in Utah County with their families. His younger brother, Nathan, was killed in action on July 17, 2007, while in the U.S. Army. A significant part of his disability practice focuses on helping disabled veteran’s get disability benefits. Jay spends a lot of his leisure time in the outdoors, hiking, hunting, and canyoneering.
PRACTICES
Mr. Barnes practices almost exclusively in Social Security disability. He has handled cases of disability caused by many conditions from the extraordinarily rare to the more common conditions like low back pain, depression, bipolar, anxiety, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, degenerative joint disease, arthritis, and many, many others. He handles cases primarily in Utah, but has handled cases in several other states as well including Idaho, Arizon, Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington. He has argued cases at the appellate level before the 10th Circuit court of appeals and the Federal District Court.
EDUCATION
- Associate of Arts – Utah Valley University (1998)
- Bachelor of Arts, International Politics – Brigham Young University (2000)
- Juris Doctor, J. Reuben Clark Law School – Brigham Young University (2003)
BAR & COURT ADMISSIONS
- Utah State Bar Association (also a member of the Southern Utah Bar Association)
- Idaho State Bar Association
- Supreme Court of Utah
- Supreme Court of Idaho
- Utah Federal District Court
- Idaho Federal District Court
- Colorado Federal District Court
- Federal Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
WORK HIGHLIGHTS
Mr. Barnes’s experience is quite extensive. He has represented more than a thousand claimants in hearings before the Social Security Administration. He has also handled several cases in the federal appeals courts including cases before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and the Federal District Courts of Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and others. He has served on the board of the Social Security section of the Utah Association of Justice and has given several community and professional presentations to help others learn about benefits available under the Social Security system.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Mr. Barnes is an active member of the Social Security section of the Utah Association for Justice. He has given many presentations on law practice management, Social Security appeals strategies and procedures, and law office technology.
He is also a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. He has given numerous presentations to local organizations such as the Southern Utah Bar Association, Utah Office of Rehabilitation, Red Rock Center for Independence, and the Southwest Behavioral Health Center.
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
Mr. Barnes is an active member of his church and spends time in teaching and leadership roles.
Mr. Barnes is also a member of the National Exchange Club and the St. George Exchange Club. These organizations have a primary goal to reduce child abuse and they donate considerable funds and service hours towards that goal each year. He is a past president and vice president of the St. George Exchange Club Foundation, the foundation arm of the St. George Exchange club that funds the clubs local activities such as the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival, the Book of Golden Deeds, the Give Me Liberty program in many schools, and the installation of Freedom Shrine memorials in public buildings. He is an active member of the club and participates in multiple events each year in a service role.
SEMINARS
Mr. Barnes has given many presentations to lawyers and other professionals about Social Security Disability benefits and he is available to do so upon request. He has also given presentations on law office management for Social Security practitioners and law office technology. He regularly participates in local and national programs to increase his skill and understanding of Social Security disability law and the practice of law generally.
He has also given many community presentations to help others understand the Social Security disability process and the importance of disability benefits in our community.