We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Darnell Barton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Darnell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

We constantly reach back through mentorship and nonprofit collaborations. However, here is a write up of our last event.

On May 13, 2023, Barton Law lead the partnership of the State Bar Young Lawyer Section and the State Bar Criminal Law Section (along with other local community organizations such as the Semaj Morgan Foundation, We 3 Queens nonprofit, She Evolves LLC, Moms Demand Action, Pastor Berry from the “Church of the Messiah,” and many more) to honor those mothers who have unfortunately lost a child to violence. The goal of the event was to bring awareness to the epidemic of violence in communities, as well as provide a legal clinic for mothers to receive help as to how to navigate the abstract justice system.
The event was hosted by Attorney, and comedian, Alicia O. Martin, and began with an opening by Ivy Nichole who is a Woman’s Advocate and mental health professional in the Metro Detroit area. There was an eye-opening dance troupe, “Alnur,” that graced the stage to keep the viewers engaged. Next, Pastor Berry, who is famous for purchasing the land around his church to make affordable housing and provide affordable internet service for the community, gave a profound opening statement. Following the Pastor, one of our honored speakers, Judge Debra Nance, 46th District Court, gave a thoughtful speech about her loss and how she has persevered since.
Following her Honor, next State Senator Stephanie Change, District 3, spoke about violence and how we as a community can be proactive. After the senator, Ms. Sherri Scott, whose her daughter, Francesca Marks, was the heroic mother of seven beautiful children that was murdered at Rouge Park while trying to rush children to safety from gunfire, spoke of her loss as well. I, Attorney Darnell Barton, spoke of the purpose of the event and then gave a brief introduction for Ms. Mia Reed, a well-known activist who also lost her child to gun violence. Ms. Reed is also a large part of the group “Moms Demand Action,” who focus on gun safety legislation.
After the ceremony, the audience was led to the brunch area where French toast, eggs, turkey sausage, fruit, and drinks were served to the mothers and guests, catered by a local Detroit vendor. During the brunch, we distributed graduation-style certificates to all the mothers who came to the event and supplied them all with gift bags full of products specified for women. Simultaneously, children and families were able to play outside in the bounce house with a DJ, while they ate BBQ and desserts. At the end of the event, some mothers went outside and released a balloon in the air symbolically for their loss.
Our event also received news coverage:
• https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/mothers-day-event-in-detroit-to-honor-mothers-who-lost-children-to-gun-violence/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/moms-who-have-lost-children-to-gun-violence-gather-in-detroit/
• https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/video/mothers-day-event-in-detroit-to-honor-mothers-who-lost-children-to-gun-violence/
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/mothers-day-event-in-detroit-to-honor-mothers-who-lost-children-to-gun-violence/ar-AA1b7G7X
Overall, this was a very impactful event where Mothers were able to be celebrated and they also received vital legal information as to the next steps for them and their families in the future. Thank you to those who volunteered and thank you to those who approved the funding as well.
– Attorney Darnell Barton
– SBM- YLS

Darnell, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Darnell T. Barton is one of the rising stars in the Michigan legal community. After the death of Trayvon Martin, Mr. Barton felt compelled to bring more awareness to the plight of young black people and those disproportionately affected by what seemed to be an unjust system. Instead of pursuing a lucrative career in his native New York City, Mr. Barton moved to Dallas, Texas, where he began a three-year journey towards justice. During law school, Mr. Barton sharpened his trial skills as a member of the Board of Advocates and the Mock Trial traveling team. He also completed a fellowship working with Dallas County elected officials to combat the “School to Prison Pipeline.” However, most notably, he founded an event titled “Community Thanksgiving,” where he led the charge to feed, and provide toiletries for over 300 less fortunate families every year while in law school.

Mr. Barton took an intern position in the “Violent Crimes Unit” at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in Detroit, Michigan. There, as part of a “grand jury” process, he had first hand experience with extremely violent cases. Mr. Barton also has had experience in cases involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) & the FBI. Mr. Barton was also able to interview victims of gun violence, many of whom were young black men, and helped grieving mothers protect their children from death threats.
Later, being officially hired by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Barton handled hundreds of cases in court at the examination and misdemeanour court level. The Presiding Judge of the 36th District Court, Judge Kenneth King, personally requested Mr. Barton to be his courtroom prosecutor after seeing him thoroughly argue a motion in his courtroom. There, Mr. Barton completed hundreds of “Advance Dispute Resolution” methods to avoid another citizen going through the “system,” and to resolve the underlying issue that caused the victim to be victimized in the first place. Mr. Barton has since argued numerous cases involving OWI/DUI’s, Aggravated Assault to Simple Assault and Battery, Child Abuse, MDOP’s, Theft, Retail Fraud, Embezzlement, Stalking, Telecommunications Misuse, and various Weapons Offenses.
Mr. Barton is also a licensed National Basketball Association (NBA) Player Agent who can negotiate contracts on behalf of professional athletes. Part of his vision is to utilize his litigation background, coupled with his business acumen, to help young professional athletes from low income communities steer their careers from “going broke” after their playing days. Along with his hands on approach to community development, Mr. Barton also supports small businesses in developing their brands.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I grew up in NYC, to a single mother who worked two jobs to put us through school. My sister and I “raised ourselves” going to and from school on our own every day. Growing up as a young Black man in America who eventually went to law school to help service the community. Now I am able to help young Brothers who grew up like me or worse.

How did you build your audience on social media?

My social media presence runs the gambit from a professional website to an unorthodox Tiktok account. I try to make sure that I am relatable to the common person. I also represent the community as best I can and try to give back as much as possible. My social media is very “Anti-” traditional values. I do not ever want to be confused for a cheesy lawyer who steals people’s money. I want to treat my clients like family members. Family members that may have a little criminal trouble for the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bartonlawpllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartonlawpllc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DetroitCriminalAttorney/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darnell-barton-esq-697a0a13/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BartonLawPLLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HJHYpZD1kDLmYB8QRBIDg
• Other: American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Michigan Delegate State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section Council Member – District 1

Image Credits
Darnell T. Barton, Barton Law, PLLC