Faculty Profile: Hon. Denise Barnett

Honorable Denise E. Barnett is a Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Tennessee (Memphis). She was appointed to the Bankruptcy Court on November 8, 2021. Prior to her appointment, Judge Barnett was a trial attorney with the Department of Justice, United States Trustee Program, in Tampa, Florida (2002-2021). Judge Barnett was an attorney in private practice (1997-2002) in Jacksonville, Florida where she represented consumer debtors, chapter 11 debtors, trustees, and creditors. From 1995 through 1997, Judge Barnett served as Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable George L. Proctor, Chief Judge Emeritus, United States Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. Judge Barnett also taught as an adjunct professor (fall 1996 - summer of 2000) in Jacksonville, Florida. Judge Barnett completed her undergraduate studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York, earning a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies in September 1990. She attended William Mitchell College of Law (now known as Mitchell Hamline School of Law) in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she earned her Juris Doctorate in June 1995. Judge Barnett was a member and an editor of the William Mitchell Law Review, 1993-1995. Judge Barnett is a member of the State Bars of Florida and Minnesota. Prior to her appointment, Judge Barnett served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association (TBBBA), specifically working with Judicial Liaison Committee for the TBBBA (2016-2021). Judge Barnett also served on the District Wide Steering Committee (MDFL) for several terms, January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2019. Judge Barnett also served as a speaker for several continuing legal education seminars.