About Bailey D. Barnes

Bailey Barnes is an associate professor of law at the University of Missouri School of Law where he teaches constitutional law, civil procedure, and federal courts. His research primarily focuses on civil rights lawsuits brought against government officials with an emphasis on the defenses of qualified and absolute immunity. He is also interested in how constitutional tort litigation operates in rural areas. His most recent article, published in the Washington Law Review, empirically examined the obvious violation exception to qualified immunity.

Before joining Mizzou Law, Professor Barnes clerked for Judge Jay S. Bybee of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and Judge J. Daniel Breen of the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Prior to clerking, Professor Barnes represented clients in tort, civil rights, and general civil litigation cases in rural Appalachia. Professor Barnes graduated summa cum laude and Order of the Coif from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He also has a master’s degree in United States History from Middle Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Tennessee Tech University.

When he is not teaching or writing, Professor Barnes can often be found at a Mizzou sporting event or in a National Park as he continues his mission to visit every park. 

Find Professor Barnes on X: @baileydbarnes

Find Professor Barnes on Bluesky: @baileydbarnes.bsky.social

Educational Background

• BS, Tennessee Tech University
• MA, Middle Tennessee State University
• JD, University of Tennessee School of Law