Attorney Misty Barnes grew up in southeastern Oklahoma on a family farm, where she learned the importance of hard work.  The values learned in her youth form the foundation of her successful career as an attorney. She has worked as a public defender, a private defense attorney, and as a First Assistant District Attorney for two counties in northeast Oklahoma. Misty joined Lee|Coats Law Firm in October 2023.

After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Barnes went on to earn her Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa College of Law in December of 2008.  Since her admission to the Oklahoma Bar Association, Barnes has concentrated primarily in the area of criminal defense litigation, achieving numerous noteworthy outcomes. She has tried over 20 murder cases and numerous other jury trials in her career.

In 2018, Barnes was awarded the Clarence Darrow Award by the Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association for her outstanding work as a criminal defense attorney.  The Clarence Darrow Award recognized the efforts of an individual attorney who has exemplified the zealous criminal defense advocacy that befits the namesake of the award, Clarence Darrow.

Despite her busy professional life, Barnes is a dedicated wife and mother who is active in her church and community.