Police Oversight. Accountability. Constitutional Policing.

David A. Barnes is a Louisiana-licensed attorney, founder of Barnes Legal, LLC, and a Lieutenant with the New Orleans Police Department. With 20 years of experience in law, public safety, investigations, policy development, and operational leadership, David brings a distinctive combination of legal knowledge and real-world experience to his clients.
 

As a Lieutenant with the New Orleans Police Department, David has overseen Special Events and legal research and planning , helping lead the planning and coordination of complex public safety operations throughout the city. His work includes operational planning for major events such as Mardi Gras, Essence Festival, Bayou Classic, Jazz Fest, festivals, parades, and second lines. These responsibilities require careful planning, risk assessment, coordination across agencies and organizations, and the ability to make sound decisions in complex, high-pressure environments.
 

As the head of NOPD's Legal Research and Planning section, his work focused on emerging legal, policy, and technology issues affecting modern law enforcement. He researches and evaluates the implementation of technologies such as facial recognition, unmanned aircraft systems, and artificial intelligence, with particular attention to constitutional requirements, privacy, policy, and responsible use, while ensuring accountability and fair, objective, ethical practices are implemented internally and externally.
 

David has held leadership and investigative roles involving criminal investigations, officer-involved shootings and serious uses of force, constitutional policing, Consent Decree compliance, Internal Affairs investigations, and legal training.
 

This depth of experience is particularly valuable to law enforcement agencies, public safety organizations, officers, government entities, and others seeking guidance on policing practices and policy, as well as the employees of those entities. David understands both the legal standards governing law enforcement and the operational realities of putting those standards into practice. For individual clients, his investigative background and attention to detail also inform the way he approaches estate planning, family law, and contract matters.
 

David participates in the International Association of Chiefs of Police Legal Officers Section and is an active member of the Fraternal Order of Police.