Barry J. Bernstein

Barry J. Bernstein is a South Carolina attorney and a military veteran. He has been licensed to practice in this state since 1995, and he established Bernstein Law Firm, LLC in 2022 upon retiring from military and state government service.

Public service

Most recently he served as Deputy Attorney General of South Carolina, where he also served as Chief of Staff. He was a representative to the Governor's Task Force on Cybersecurity, a proxy on the Law Enforcement Training Council, South Carolina's representative to the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute, and chairman of the state Prosecutor's Review Committee. Before retirement, he led the agency through its first legislative oversight review before the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Military career

His military career began as a private and ended with his retirement as a colonel after thirty-four years of service. He started in the 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry before being commissioned as a Military Intelligence officer on active duty, and served the last fifteen years of his career as a JAG officer. He was responsible for developing the largest Army National Guard judge advocate corps in the nation.

His overseas service includes Iraq and Korea. He deployed to Baghdad as part of the Multi-National Security Transition Command–Iraq, where his duties included coordinating training for Islamic military judges. His military schooling includes the Command and General Staff College, the Signal School, the Military Intelligence School, and the Judge Advocate General's School.

Education

He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where his graduating class selected him for its only peer-evaluated award, recognizing integrity, industry, and leadership. He also holds a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina, where he was named Outstanding Senior. He has taught continuing legal education classes for the South Carolina Bar and nationally for the National Association of Attorneys General.

Recognition

He has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and twenty other military decorations. He received the National Guard Association of South Carolina President's Award, the artillery's Order of St. Barbara, and the Reserve Officers Association's state "Junior Officer of the Year" award. He has been named in Who's Who publications for the Law, in America, and in the World, and has twice served as chair of the South Carolina Bar's Military and Veterans Law section.

The practice

The firm is a general practice serving clients locally, with a statewide practice for issues involving the military and state government. Barry is outcome focused. He guides clients toward the result they want, with a clear intent to head off trivial issues and avoid additional litigation.

Outside the office

Barry and his wife, Diane, are nearly empty nesters living at Lake Murray. He is a father, step-father, and foster parent. When he is not at the office he spends his time swimming and following Gamecock sports.