James R. Barnes

James R. Barnes, Esq., joined Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea in January 2026, bringing more than two decades of experience in elder law, trusts and estates, guardianships, special needs planning, and business succession planning. He is deeply committed to guiding clients through important life transitions with care, practical insight, and steady counsel. James is admitted to practice in New York State and is also a member of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.  Prior to joining Gleason, Dunn, Walsh & O’Shea, James practiced for more than 20 years as a shareholder at a prominent Albany-based trusts & estates and elder law firm. 

James is actively involved in professional and charitable organizations at both the state and local levels. He presently serves as Chair of The Foundation for Ellis Medicine and on the Board of Trustees for Ellis Medicine.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of The New York Bar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing charitable and educational initiatives that support the law-related needs of the public and the legal profession.

James is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, where he serves on the Executive Committee of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section.  He is a Past-Chair of the Association’s Committee on Continuing Legal Education and Young Lawyers Section.  He has also served on the Association’s Executive Committee, House of Delegates, and several special committees and task forces. His additional professional affiliations include the NYSBA Trusts & Estates Section, the Albany County Bar Association, and the Estate Planning Council of Eastern New York.

James received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2004, where he studied as an A.J. Fletcher Law Scholar.  He earned his Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from SUNY Binghamton, where he double majored in Philosophy, Politics, and Law, and in Music.