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Austin Barnum litigates civil rights actions and criminal defense cases. He protects individuals’ constitutional rights and defends those accused of crimes.

Austin defends individuals accused of crimes ranging from lower-level offenses through first-degree murder and provides the highest level of advocacy for all of his clients, regardless of the allegations. He fights to protect those individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated through excessive force and discrimination.

Prior to joining the firm, Austin worked at the State of Nevada’s Office of the Attorney General where he quickly ascended to Senior Deputy Attorney General and represented correctional officers accused of violating constitutional rights. Austin leverages this experience to obtain the best results for his clients. As a commissioned officer and paratrooper in the United States Army Reserves, he understands the importance of clear communication and leadership and delivers both qualities in and out of the courtroom.

Austin graduated first in his class at law school and gained invaluable advocacy experience that he uses to serve his clients to this day. He was selected as a practicing law student in the William S. Boyd School of Law’s first-ever Misdemeanor Clinic and successfully defended clients accused of misdemeanor crimes. Austin won the Nevada Justice Association’s first-ever Mock Trial Tournament and represented the school nationwide while on the highly prestigious Society of Advocates trial team. He started and trained the Black Law Students’ Association’s first mock trial team in over a decade, placing second in the Western Region. Austin also placed second in the school’s annual Client Counseling Competition, and third in the Nevada Law Journal’s annual Writing Competition for his work relating to juvenile interrogations.

Education

J.D., Summa Cum Laude – 1st in Class, William S. Boyd School of Law, 2019
B.A., Occidental College, Los Angeles, California, 2010, Diplomacy and World Affairs

Recognitions

SuperLawyers Rising Stars in Criminal Defense, 2024

2024 Young Lawyer of the Year

Memberships

Chair of the Young Lawyer’s Section, Nevada State Bar

Co-Chair of Trial Academy, Nevada State Bar

Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice

National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

State Bar Licenses

Nevada

Court Admissions

U.S. District Ct., District of Nevada
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

Organizations

United States Army Reserves, United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, 7th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne)