Barrett helps clients with banking and finance matters, drafting and reviewing loan and security agreements and supporting a range of business and transactional financing needs.
Barrett decided to pursue law during his master’s research on Kentucky gambling regulation, when analyzing a regulatory change sparked a deep interest in how legal frameworks shape entire industries. That project drew him to the analytical rigor of legal training, and he wanted a career centered on helping clients work through complex issues. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in agricultural economics, Barrett was ultimately drawn to banking and finance because the practice sits at the intersection of law, business, and financial strategy. He particularly enjoys applying his quantitative background to transactions and understanding the commercial objectives driving each deal. His academic experience in agricultural economics also gives him a unique perspective on agricultural finance and the industries it supports.
During law school, Barrett served as a staff editor and later president of the SMU Law Review Association, sharpening his management and organizational skills while overseeing a major journal operation. He also spent three semesters with the Small Business and Trademark Clinic, ultimately serving as clinic chief and managing client relationships. Working with entrepreneurs as they launched and protected their businesses showed Barrett how thoughtful legal guidance can help clients turn business plans into achievable goals.
As a two-time summer associate at Husch Blackwell, Barrett explored multiple practice areas before focusing on banking and finance. His experience confirmed that he enjoyed helping clients structure transactions, address obstacles, and move complex deals toward closing. He also developed relationships with attorneys across the firm whose mentorship reinforced his decision to build his practice in this area.
Known for being accessible and dependable, Barrett keeps a sharp focus on project management so complex transactions stay on track and deadlines are met. He approaches deal hurdles with a solution-oriented mindset, working to find a path to yes rather than simply flagging roadblocks, and clients can expect clear, actionable guidance throughout a transaction.