The late Freeman Warren Barner, Jr. was a true and consummate southern gentleman. This was a defining characteristic of the man and the attorney. A perfectionist, his fingerprints remain clearly evident on the firm that, today, still bears his name.
Freeman Warren Barner, Jr. was born and grew up in the small town of McKinney, Virginia. After attending Randolph Macon College located in Ashland, Virginia, he entered the military. As a Captain in the U.S. Army, he was stationed at the famed Presidio, a now decommissioned military base in San Francisco. Following service, Freeman used the G.I. Bill to attend law school at the University of Florida. There, he excelled academically, becoming Executive Editor of the University of Florida Law Review and graduating with honors. He was also named to the Order of the Coif for high attainments in the study of law.
In 1973, Freeman joined the prestigious Cromwell Remsen Firm and was soon the sole litigator and a partner. John D. MacArthur, who founded Palm Beach Gardens, was counted among his many prominent clients. Following Cromwell, he founded Freeman Barner & Associates, P.A. In 2014 the firm name changed to Barner & Barner, P.A. when his son, Brett C. Barner, became his partner.
Outside the practice of law, Mr. Barner assisted in the founding of The Benjamin School, where all of his children attended. He served passionately on the school’s board of directors for 25 years. For eleven of those years he served as the board’s Chairman and President.
Freeman W. Barner, Jr. achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible peer review rating that takes into account the ability and ethics of the lawyer as well as confidential opinions of members of the bar and judiciary. This singular honor is bestowed upon lawyers who exude extraordinary legal capability and adhere to strict ethics during their practice of law.
Mr. Barner handled cases throughout Florida in state and federal courts. He enjoyed admission to the Florida Bar, all U.S. District Courts within Florida (Southern District, Middle District and Northern District), the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.
Our firm today is a direct reflection of Freeman W. Barner, Jr.’s commitment to build a law practice defined by excellence and driven by attorneys and a legal staff determined to do their very best by every client entrusted to their care and counsel.