W. Christopher Barrier

Member

Bar Admissions: Arkansas

Education

B.A., Hendrix College, 1964
LL.B., Duke University, 1967
Admitted to practice in Arkansas, 1967

Professional Experience

Private practice since 1967 emphasizing commercial and real estate matters, especially finance. Bond financing for industrial, residential, healthcare, higher education, utilities, public improvements, since 1980. Outside counsel to air and solid waste divisions, Arkansas Department of Pollution Control and Ecology, 1970-78.

Other Activities

Arkansas Bar Association – House of Delegates, Executive Council Member, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Council Chair; Chair, Financial Institutions Law Section;  Chair, Real Estate Law Committee;  Chambers USA-recommended in real estate; Best Lawyers in America (real estate law);  Best Arkansas Real Estate Lawyer, Arkansas Times poll 2000; Friends of the Zoo, Inc. – Organizer, President, Vice-President, Chair of two fund drives; PTA president; Arkansas Arts Center Trustee; Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Society – Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Secretary; ASO Foundation – Board Designee, Secretary-Treasurer, President.  Hendrix College Alumni Association – Vice-President, President, Historical Commission Chairman, Alumni Loyalty Fund Chair;  Jewish Federation of Arkansas-Board of Directors. Listed in Super Lawyers; Corporate Counsel Edition for Energy & Natural Resources, Construction/Surety, Eminent Domain, Land Use/Zoning, and Real Estate.

Publications

Arkansas Lawyer – (Bar Association journal) – Usury articles (1982, Writing Excellence Award; 1989; 2000; 2004); third-party legal opinions articles (1992, 1993); real estate articles (1994); ethics articles (1995); “Arkansas’ 1997 Banking Legislation” (two articles, 1997); federal banking legislation (two articles, 2000); “A Stitch In Time: Secured Lending Under Revised Article 9″ (2001); “The Uncertain Gift: Arkansas’ New Beneficiary Deed” (2006); over 100 other articles, columns and book reviews; Outstanding Contributor Award (1997). UALR Law Journal – “Usury in Arkansas – Revisited, Revised and Reaffirmed,”(Outstanding Contributor Award 1979); “Render Unto Caesar,” (Outstanding Contributor Award 1981). Arkansas Law Review – “Usury in Arkansas: The 17% Solution,” (1984).  Arkansas Editor, Commercial Finance Association compendium of state commercial laws. Editorial Board, Debtor/Creditor Relations Handbook (Arkansas Bar Association).