Barry Conybeare

Barry Conybeare was drawn to personal injury law not only by watching his father Bruce Conybeare at work but also because he experienced what it is like to lose a loved one as a young man. After graduating from Lake Michigan Catholic High School, in St. Joseph, Michigan, Barry’s 17-year-old family friend passed away in a car accident caused by distracted driving. After graduating from the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Barry’s closest college friend was killed by a drunk driver. These firsthand experiences drew him closer to the work his father had been doing for years – helping families pick up the pieces after a tragedy. Barry received his law degree, magna cum laude, from DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Barry then worked in Chicago as a commercial litigation associate with one of the world’s largest law firms, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Two years later, he returned to Southwest Michigan with his wife Jody and began practicing law with Bruce at Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers. As they started a family, his strong connection to the local community grew. Barry and his wife Jody now have four children, Rowan, Avery, Zachary, and Rhys. He also volunteers to improve the lives of those in Southwest Michigan. Helping people is the core of Barry’s work In 2010, Conybeare Injury and Accident Lawyers had a safety program on a local radio station, and the August program covered how summer heat can be lethal, particularly to older people who may have medical problems, limited mobility, and lack of transportation. Barry partnered with the Area Agency on Aging to provide free air conditioners to 35 senior citizens in Berrien County. Barry was able to help the family of car accident victim Kolton Fullenkamp honor his legacy by donating his refurbished wheelchair to the Calhoun County Independent School District. Kolton died after a crash in 2016 when his van was rear-ended. The wheelchair will be a temporary training device to help students at the Calhoun County ISD. Barry takes an all-or-nothing approach to community service, dedicating extensive time to leadership roles in the organizations he volunteers with. Early on in Barry’s career, he made a commitment to the Michigan Association for Justice, a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing the needs and interests of trial lawyers in their relentless pursuit of a fair and effective legal system. He quickly learned that attending events and seminars and building relationships with other trial lawyers made him a better litigator and advocate for his clients. To that end, he started a local meeting of plaintiff’s lawyers to collaborate on advancing the rights of personal injury victims in Southwest Michigan. He has developed great friendships and deep connections with the top plaintiff litigators in Michigan. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Michigan Association for Justice and recently completed eight years of service on the St. Joseph Schools Board of Education.